A police officer attached to the Niger State Police Command and two other suspects have been arrested over the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl in Niger State.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Kuta, confirmed the arrests while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Monday.
According to the commissioner, the teenage victim was allegedly assaulted repeatedly by the three suspects before her parents reported the matter to the Ministry of Women Affairs for intervention.
Kuta said the girl's parents approached the ministry after allegedly encountering obstacles in their efforts to seek justice through other channels.
“The parents told the ministry that their efforts to seek justice were consistently obstructed, which prompted them to seek the ministry's assistance,” she said.
The commissioner disclosed that the ministry's intervention led to the arrest of the suspects, who are now expected to face further investigation.
Kuta expressed concern over the increasing number of sexual abuse cases involving minors and teenagers across the state.
She also alleged that attempts were being made to shift attention away from the rape allegations by accusing the victim of stealing livestock.
According to her, the suspects allegedly took advantage of the girl after purchasing chickens from her.
She warned against the dangers of street hawking, especially for young girls, noting that it often exposes children to abuse and exploitation.
The commissioner further lamented that suspects accused of sexual offences are sometimes granted bail shortly after arraignment, a situation she said discourages victims and their families from pursuing justice.
“It is distressing to observe that cases of this nature frequently cause significant psychological trauma, undermining the educational aspirations of young girls.
“The future of these children can be irreparably damaged by the actions of the perpetrators,” she said.
Kuta assured the victim's family that the ministry would pursue the case to its conclusion and ensure that justice is served.
As part of measures to protect the teenager, she disclosed that the ministry has relocated the victim from her community and placed her under protective custody.
She added that the girl will receive comprehensive medical treatment, psychological assessment, counselling, and other support services to aid her recovery from the alleged abuse.
The commissioner stressed the importance of a thorough investigation, noting that the charges eventually filed against the suspects would determine the strength of the prosecution's case in court.
She reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of survivors of sexual abuse while expressing hope that justice would prevail in the matter.