Niger: Police detain security guard over alleged defilement, death of minor
The police command in Niger has detained a 26-year-old security guard, Godwin Dauda, over the alleged defilement and death of an 11-year-old girl in Suleja.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Friday in Minna.
Mr Abiodun said the police received a missing-person report at the Suleja Police Division on September 20, after the girl failed to return home.
He said the girl had left home on Sept. 19 to attend a relative’s birthday ceremony in the area.
According to him, a pastor of the Apostolic Church, Suleja, later reported the discovery of a dead body inside a well on the church premises.
He said police officers and officials of the Suleja Local Government Council visited the scene and recovered the body.
“The body was then taken to the Suleja General Hospital, where it was identified as that of the missing girl,” he said.
Mr Abiodun said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect allegedly defiled the girl before disposing of her body in the well.
“The girl’s body was found inside the well within the premises of the Apostolic Church in Suleja, where the suspect works as a security guard,” he said.
The spokesperson said Dauda allegedly fled the area after the body was recovered in an attempt to evade arrest.
He said the suspect was subsequently arrested around Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory at about 8 p.m. on September 23.
Mr Abiodun said Mr Dauda allegedly confessed during interrogation to luring the girl into his security room at the church.
According to him, the suspect told investigators that he defiled the girl and that she subsequently died.
He said the suspect also allegedly told the police that he disposed of the girl’s body in the church well in an attempt to conceal the crime.
The spokesperson said investigation into the case was ongoing, adding that the suspect would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna.
He said the transfer would facilitate further investigation and possible prosecution if the suspect was found culpable.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Edo govt. targets jobs, revenue through tourism, hospitality sectors
Mr Okaeben said the state government was committed to creating an enabling environment where talents could thrive.
NationWide
Army trains 380 personnel in specialised skills to boost operations
Mr Adejimi said the training was designed to improve the technical capabilities of personnel.
States
Police nab two suspects for alleged car theft in Niger village
The suspected soldier and one other took to their heels, while the other two were arrested.
States
Niger: Police detain security guard over alleged defilement, death of minor
Mr Abiodun said Mr Dauda allegedly confessed during interrogation to luring the girl into his security room.
NationWide
Morka’s gutter language cannot bury Tinubu’s drug record: ADC Campaign Council
The council also challenged the APC to explain inconsistencies in Mr Tinubu’s educational records.
Heading 2
Abia commission pledges support for albinism cancer trust fund
Mr Anyaele said the government supported initiatives that protected persons with albinism from health risks.
