The Gombe State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with separate child rape cases in Akko Local Government Area and Gombe metropolis. The suspects, a 13-year-old boy, 18-year-old Usman Husseini, and 45-year-old Mohammed Yaya, were paraded by the police on Friday.
According to ASP Buhari Abdullahi, the Police Public Relations Officer, the 13-year-old suspect allegedly dragged an eight-year-old girl to a secluded area and raped her on May 22, 2024. The incident was reported to the Akko Division on May 24, 2024.
In a separate case, Usman Husseini was arrested following a complaint from Musa Saleh of Hammadu-kafi quarters, Gombe, who reported that the suspect took his four-year-old daughter to a corner near his house and inserted his finger into her private part. The Pantami Division swiftly responded to the complaint, arresting the suspect and taking both the suspect and the victim to a specialist for medical examination.
The third suspect, Mohammed Yaya, from Tumu Akko Local Government Area, allegedly lured a 10-year-old girl into his house and raped her on two separate occasions, offering her N100 and N50 respectively. Yaya confessed to the crime during preliminary investigations.
ASP Abdullahi assured the public that the Gombe State Government is taking the issue of rape seriously, with the Department of Public Prosecutions working to tackle rape and other forms of abuse. He further stated that all three cases are currently under investigation and will be charged to court upon completion.
The arrests of these suspects highlight the ongoing efforts by the Gombe State Police Command to combat child sexual abuse and bring perpetrators to justice. The police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of child abuse to the authorities.
Credit: Punchng