Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A 65-year-old man, Musa Gado, has been arrested in Niger State after a DNA test reportedly confirmed that he fathered a child with his 16-year-old granddaughter in Mashegu Local Government Area, according to the Niger State Child Rights Agency.
The case was disclosed during a press briefing in Minna by the Director General of the agency, Hajiya Kaltume Mohammed, who said the development followed months of investigation into allegations of repeated sexual abuse within the family.
According to the agency, the matter was first reported in 2025 by the victim’s father, Mr. Lawal Nababa, who alleged that his daughter had been sexually abused by her maternal grandfather. The victim, a minor whose identity has been withheld, was said to have been living with her maternal grandmother prior to the incident being reported.
Officials stated that when the complaint was received, the girl was already about six months pregnant. She was immediately taken into protective custody by the Child Rights Agency, where she remained under care and medical supervision until she delivered a baby boy in December 2025.
The agency explained that the suspect initially denied the allegations, prompting authorities to request a DNA test to determine paternity. The test, which was conducted at a laboratory outside Nigeria at a reported cost of N500,000, was carried out with the consent of both parties involved.
According to the Director General, the results confirmed with a probability of 99.9999 percent that Musa Gado was the biological father of the child delivered by his granddaughter. The agency described the outcome as decisive in resolving the dispute over paternity.
Officials also stated that the suspect had allegedly made attempts to terminate the pregnancy during its early stages, although further details on these claims were not disclosed. Authorities said such actions formed part of the broader investigation into the case.
The Child Rights Agency confirmed that the suspect is currently in police custody and will face prosecution upon completion of ongoing investigations by law enforcement authorities. It added that the case represents one of several child abuse-related incidents currently being handled in the state.
The Director General expressed concern over what she described as a rising trend of sexual abuse and exploitation of minors in Niger State, noting that the agency is currently managing multiple similar cases involving different categories of offenders, including relatives and community members.
She disclosed that at least six active cases of child sexual abuse are being prosecuted by the agency, including another case involving a father accused of abusing his biological daughter. She described the situation as deeply troubling and indicative of a wider social problem.
According to her, since assuming office in November 2025, the agency has encountered numerous cases of rape and sexual exploitation involving children, some of which involve individuals within the victims’ immediate family circles.
She emphasized that the agency remains committed to ensuring justice for victims while also providing medical, psychological, and legal support for affected children. She noted that the victim in the current case received continuous care from the time she was taken into custody until after childbirth.
Authorities reiterated that the suspect will be formally charged in court after police conclude their investigation, in line with child protection and criminal laws in Nigeria.
The case has drawn attention to ongoing concerns about child protection, sexual violence, and the effectiveness of reporting and intervention mechanisms in rural communities, where many cases of abuse are believed to go unreported.
For now, the suspect remains in custody as legal proceedings are expected to follow once investigative processes are completed.
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