Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested a 19-year-old man in Oyo State for the alleged defilement of a five-year-old girl.
The incident occurred on Monday in Durbar axis of Oyo town when the minor stepped out to purchase a recharge card. The suspect, identified as the son of a serving police officer in Ibadan, was apprehended after the victim led her parents to him.
A medical report obtained from the State Hospital in Oyo confirmed that the minor sustained severe injuries to her private parts consistent with sexual assault.
After the arrest, the family of the victim accused officers at the Durbar Police Area Command of attempting to subvert justice to protect their colleague’s son. The development made the Taawunu Human Rights Initiative to petition the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, demanding for an independent probe.
The father of the victim, Afeez Tiamiyu, said the family would not succumb to police intimidation:
“Upon getting to the police station, we found out that the suspect’s father is also a police officer. We noticed some of the police officers on duty that day were trying to persuade us not to pursue the case, but we insisted because no one is above the law.”
The state police command has transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department following allegations of a cover-up by officers on duty.
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