Police arrest two for defiling minors in Lagos

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested two suspects, Augustine Udeh and Adepoju Moses, for allegedly raping two teenagers in different parts of the state.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

Adejobi noted that Udeh was arrested in the Surulere area of the state following a complaint by one Nene Badmus, who told the police that her daughter disclosed that Udeh allegedly raped her after that she had found her daughter by the roadside crying.

Armed with the information provided by Badmus, the police swung into action and arrested the suspect.

Adejobi said, “On the 12th of March 2024, at about 10:30pm, One Nene Badmus ‘f’ reported at the Surulere Divisional Headquarters, Lagos State that on the same day, around 7 pm, she had found her daughter, name withheld, 16yrs, lying down by the roadside crying and complaining of abdominal pain while bleeding.

“She questioned her, and the daughter revealed that one Augustine Udeh ‘m’, 33 years defiled her by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her. A team of detectives from the division took the victim to a medical centre for examination and eventually apprehended the suspect.”

Giving details of Moses’ arrest, Adejobi disclosed that Moses had reported a suspected case of rape to the police on February 23, which prompted the arrest of a suspect.

However, the police upon conducting investigation into the matter, discovered that the complainant was the one who had allegedly perpetuated the act and had instructed the victim, a 13-year-old orphan, to lie against the initial suspect.

“In a similar occurrence, on February 23, 2024, at about 11.50 pm, one Adepoju Ifedayo Moses ‘m’ 42yrs reported at Ifako Gbagada Divisional Headquarters, Lagos that at about 9 pm of the same day, he had sent his younger sister, name withheld, 13 yrs, who is an orphan, on an errand but she was accosted by one man, 38yrs, who lured her into his room and defiled her. A team of detectives from the division moved to the scene, rescued the victim, and arrested the suspect.

“Thorough investigation later revealed that it was the same complainant, Adepoju Ifedayo, who is an uncle to the victim, was the one who had actually defiled the victim earlier that day but instructed the victim to lie against the initial suspect,” the FPRO said.

Adejobi added that after a search of Moses’ house, two locally made pistols and three expended cartridges were recovered.

Stressing the stance of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Adejobi noted that perpetrators of sexual offences would be made to face the law for their crimes.

“We must educate the populace about consent, respect, and healthy relationships. By promoting a culture of respect, dignity, and equality, we can prevent instances of rape and defilement from occurring.

“Ending rape and defilement requires a concerted effort from all sectors of society. It requires us to speak out against injustice, support and protect survivors, and work towards a future where every individual is free from the threat of sexual harassment and violence,” Adejobi noted.