Authorities in Kaduna State are currently dealing with a case of multiple rape of a 14-year-old girl by different men leading to conception and eventual delivery of a baby boy.

Already, Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Kaduna has order the remand of 10 of the suspect at a Correctional Facility over the incident, while the eleventh person is said to be on the run.

The teenage girl living with disability, according to the First Information Report (FIR), resides in Likoro village, Kudan Local Government Area.

The FIR continued that the suspects raped the victim continuously at different intervals by luring her into their various abodes.

An Inspector of Police, Yakubu I. Lemu, currently prosecuting the case, told the court that the multiple rapes resulted in pregnancy and the birth of a baby boy four months ago, adding that the act contravenes section 257 of the Kaduna State Penal Code.

He said: “According to the FIR on 27th October, 2024 at 6.30 pm, one Usman Yusuf reported that he discovered that his younger sister, Fatima Maikanti, was six months pregnant. He said, when questioned, she revealed that at different locations, at different times the suspects lured her to their various places in the village and had sexual intercourse with her, as a result, she became pregnant and was delivered of a baby boy.

“Investigation revealed that each of the suspects had sexual intercourse with the victim at different locations which contravened section 257 of the Kaduna State Penal Code.”

Justice Abubakar Lamido, who is handling the matter, said the court is waiting for advice from the Ministry of Justice and ordered the suspects to be remanded at the correctional centre pending the transfer of the case to the High Court.

He adjourned the matter to May 22, 2025 for mention.

The Commissioner, Ministry of Human Services and Social Development,  while vowing that the government would pursue the case until justice is served, added: “The victim was raped continuously when she was 14-years-old after which she became pregnant. Now she has a baby that she cannot take care of because she is also a baby and too small to handle a child.

“The Kaduna State government also has laws that protect women and children and even vulnerable people, the Child Protection and Social Welfare and the Violence Against Persons (VAP) laws as well as the sex offender registry where we register the names of offenders to serve as a deterrent to others. The case is pathetic, both the victim’s parents are blind and she also has one eye.

“The girl has given birth now to a child of four months old, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) that was handling the case and now retired had silence the case, but with the help of the Commissioner of Police (CP), the case has been reopened as a fresh case because the incident happened over a year now and she has a four month old child.

“The former DPO arrested them and also released them on bail, capital offence is not supposed to be granted bail that is why we reopened the case as a fresh case to re -arrest them. We that the Commissioner of Police and his team for their quick action of re-arresting the suspects.

“The State will do everything within the ambit of the law to ensure the victim gets justice. The government will take care of the social welfare of the child and the mother because she is also a child, so they are going to be under our care for their social protection.”

Rabi warned the general public that the government will not tolerate any act of abuse, torture and molestation of women, children and especially, people living with disability.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Dr. Anuma Ogbonnaya Nlia, has reiterated the vital role the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) plays in addressing the critical needs of the Nigeria Police Force, saying that the interventions complement the Ministry’s efforts in managing the multifaceted challenges faced by the police.

He stated this, according to a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), during a visit to the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) Headquarters in Wuse by the Management of the Ministry of Police Affairs led by the Permanent Secretary.

The Permanent Secretary appreciated the fund for their efforts in mobilizing resources, ensuring transparency, and strategically investing in the welfare, training, and equipment of our police officers.

In his words, “We firmly believe that a well-equipped, well-trained, and motivated police force is paramount to ensuring the safety and security of all Nigerians. In this pursuit, the Nigerian Police Trust Fund stands as a crucial partner.”

Dr. Anuma pointed out that the Ministry has witnessed firsthand the positive impact of the Trust Fund’s initiatives, ranging from the provision of essential equipment to the improvement of training facilities. These contributions are tangible and are making a real difference on the ground.

According to him, “The Ministry of Police Affairs, under the leadership of His Excellency Senator Dr Ibrahim Gaidam, is steadfast in its dedication to enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness as well as aligning our strategies and working in concert, we can maximize the impact of our collective efforts in support of the Nigeria Police Force.”

The Permanent Secretary expressed that, as part of the efforts of the Ministry to improve the welfare and operational efficiency of the NPF, the Ministry is an advance stage of concluding the procurement process of Rehabilitation/Construction of internal Road Network in Osun State Police Command, Construction and Equipping of 50 Bed Hospital for Nigerian Police in Kebbi, Adamawa. Rehabilitation of Police Barracks in Kebbi State, Procurement of seven Modified Light Tactical Armoured Vehicles, and Procurement of 6000 Tactical Ballistic vests as well as 6250 Tactical Gear Ballistic Helmets.

Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), Mr. Mohammed Sheidu stated that the visit of the present of the Permanent Secretary is both symbolic and significant it marks the beginning of what it is call shared collaboration and strengthening partnership between the Ministry and Nigeria Police Trust Fund, one which it is grounded strategic alignment and shared commitment to service delivery.

“Ministry of Police Affairs plays a crucial role in guiding and supporting the work of Nigeria Police Trust Fund, and we are committed to our core mandate which is to intervene in the funding, training, equipment and welfare of the Nigeria Police Force despite many challenges we have implemented numerous platform intervention, infrastructure vehicle training, welfare, technology and logistics across commands nationwide.

Justice Njideka Nwosu-Iheme of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, has sentenced the husband of late gospel singer, Osinachi, Peter Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.

Justice Nwosu-Iheme found him guilty of culpable homicide resulting in the death of the deceased on April 8, 2022.

The judge sentenced Nwachukwu to death while sentencing him after the court had held that the prosecution had proven the burden of proof placed on it by the law and subsequently found the defendant guilty.

Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022, by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), on behalf of the Federal Government, on a 23-count charge bordering on culpable homicide punishable with death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of children, spousal battery, among others.

In the course of trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two children of the late Osinachi, who testified as fourth prosecution and fifth prosecution witnesses, PW4 and PW5 respectively, while it tendered 25 documents as exhibits before the court.

The defendant testified for the defence and further called four other witnesses and tendered four exhibits in his defence.

Shortly before sentencing the defendant, counsel for Nwachukwu, Reginald Nwali, pleaded with the court to be lenient in its judgment, while the prosecuting counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imala, urged the court to give force to the law as stipulated.

Justice Nwosu-Iheme subsequently sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1, while he was sentenced to two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8,9, 12, 13, and 18.

The court sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment on Count 10, three years imprisonment on Count 11, while he was fined the sum of N500,000 and N200,000 respectively on Counts 6 and 7, respectively.

The late gospel artist who had several tracks, including Ekwueme died on April 8, 2022, at the age of 42. Her death triggered outrage in the country, with fans and Nigerians calling for justice for the singer.