Butcher Arraigned For ‘Camping’, Defiling Minor For Three Months In Niger

A middle-aged butcher, Zaiyanu Abdullahi has been arrested by the Niger State Police Command for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that Abdullahi was alleged to have harboured the girl for three months where she was continually raped for three months along with his friends now at large.

He was arraigned before a Senior Magistrate in Minna, the capital of Niger state.

He is facing a three-count charge of removing a child from the custody of her parents, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, and sexual abuse and exploitation.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Godwin Adamu said the three count charges contravened section 15 (2), 26 (2), and section 27 (2) of Niger State child right and protection law 2021 as amended.

The charge reads, “On the 16th of August, 2023, one Mohammed Jiya of Gurara area of Minna reported at the Niger State Child Right Agency office in Minna that on the 8 June, 2023 you Zaiyanu Abdullahi a Butcher in Minna resident of Tudun Nasira area of Minna took away his 13 years old daughter (names withheld) out of his custody without his consent to your house and cohabited with you in your house for three months.

READ ALSO: Native Doctor Found With Fresh Human Body In Ogun

“After a thorough search, the said missing daughter was found to have been living with you in your room at the above address and that while in your room, you Zaiyanu Abdullahi and your friends names unknown had sexual intercourse With her repeatedly.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the counts levelled against him.

Adamu stated that the Police immediately swung into action and the suspect was arrested while his other accomplices could not be traced.

He said during police investigation, the victim identified the defendant as the person who took her not only to his house but was among other men that repeatedly raped her with his friends.

Adamu told the court to allow police to investigate further and requested the remand of the accused.

Senior magistrate Christy Barau, who granted order to the request then ordered that the accused be remanded in a Correctional facility and adjourned to 21, September 2023 for further mention.