The police command in Oyo State says it has arrested a 35-year-old suspect, identified as Abule, for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl in the Araromi area of Eyin Grammar School, Molete, Ibadan.

According to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, on Saturday, the suspect lured the victim into an uncompleted building and unlawfully had canal knowledge of her.

Mr Olayinka said the incident happened after the victim, who was hawking snacks, attempted to collect payment for the goods she sold to the suspect.

“The Oyo State Police Command, in its continuous drive to rid the state of targeted crime, crimes of passion, and gender-based violence, has arrested a 35-year-old suspect identified only as ‘Abule’ for the offence of defilement,” the statement said.

The spokesman said the divisional police officer at Sanyo led detectives to the scene and ensured that the victim was promptly taken to a hospital.

“The survivor was promptly taken for a comprehensive medical examination and treatment to ensure her well-being and secure vital forensic evidence,” Mr Olayinka said.

He added that the state’s commissioner of police, Abimbola Olugbenga, had directed that the case be transferred to the command’s gender department to ensure diligent prosecution.

The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s intolerance for crimes against women and the vulnerable, warning that perpetrators of such acts would be made to face the full wrath of the law.