Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Commissioner of Police in Plateau State, CP Bassey Ewah, has disclosed that the command recorded 64 cases of rape and defilement between February 2026, when he assumed office, and the end of April 2026 – a staggering figure that highlights the deepening crisis of sexual violence in the North‑Central region. Ewah made the revelation on Friday, 1 May 2026, while parading 18 suspects arrested for a range of offences including rape, homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and cultism. The parade, held at the command’s headquarters in Jos, the state capital, also marked the presentation of recovered exhibits: two locally fabricated pistols, one live cartridge, and the offensive weapons used in the various crimes.
The disclosure of 64 cases in less than three months has drawn sharp reactions from human rights groups and women’s advocates, who have long decried the culture of silence and impunity surrounding sexual violence in Plateau State. The figure represents an average of nearly one case every day and a half. While the police did not provide a breakdown of convictions or pending prosecutions, the sheer volume of reported incidents suggests that sexual violence is escalating, even as the state grapples with protracted communal clashes, banditry and kidnapping.
Addressing journalists during the parade, CP Ewah said the 18 suspects were arrested at different locations across the state following sustained intelligence‑led operations. “We will not relent in our efforts to ensure that the citizens of Plateau State sleep with their eyes closed,” he said. “The command is fully committed to protecting the rights and dignity of every individual, especially the most vulnerable among us.” He urged victims of sexual violence to speak out and report cases promptly, assuring that the police would handle such reports with confidentiality and urgency.
The parade included suspects linked to several high‑profile cases. One suspect, a 34‑year‑old man, was arrested for allegedly raping a 15‑year‑old girl in a suburb of Jos. Another suspect was arrested for the murder of a local businessman in a dispute over land. Three others were found in possession of locally fabricated pistols during a stop‑and‑search operation along the Jos‑Bukuru highway. The police also apprehended members of a confraternity that had been terrorising residents of a community in Riyom Local Government Area.
CP Ewah said that the crackdown was part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks that have found safe havens in the state’s porous border communities. He disclosed that the command had intensified patrols and established new forward operating bases in flashpoints such as Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Mangu. “We are not waiting for crime to happen. We are going after the criminals,” he said.
The revelation of 64 rape cases has prompted a flurry of reactions from civil society. The Plateau State chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) called on the state government to establish special courts to fast‑track sexual offence cases, which often languish in the judicial system for years. “Behind every statistic is a shattered life. The state must act decisively to ensure that perpetrators are swiftly convicted and that survivors receive adequate medical and psychological support,” said a representative. The National Human Rights Commission also issued a statement urging the police to release a detailed breakdown of the cases and to ensure that all 64 complaints are investigated thoroughly.
Plateau State has a troubling history of sexual violence, often underreported due to stigma and fear of reprisals. In 2024, a non‑governmental organisation, the Gender and Development Action Centre, documented over 400 cases of rape and defilement across the state, many involving minors. The persistence of the problem points to deep‑seated cultural attitudes and gaps in law enforcement. The police command’s willingness to release figures, however, marks a shift toward transparency that many advocates have welcomed.
The CP also used the parade to warn parents and guardians to monitor the movement of their children and to report suspicious behaviour to the police. He noted that several of the rape victims were minors who had been lured by acquaintances or trusted adults. “We must all take responsibility for the safety of our children,” he said.
Among the 18 paraded suspects, four were arrested for cultism, following a tip‑off from a concerned citizen. The police recovered cult regalia, an axe, and a locally made pistol from their hideout in Jos South. Another suspect, alleged to be a member of a car‑snatching syndicate, was arrested with a master key and a fake vehicle registration document. The command said that investigations are ongoing and that all suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion.
The parade came just days after the Inspector‑General of Police, Olatunji Disu, ordered the immediate dismissal and prosecution of an Assistant Superintendent of Police for the extrajudicial killing of a handcuffed suspect in neighbouring Delta State. The Plateau command’s focus on rape and defilement indicates that the police high command is also prioritising sexual violence, which has often been treated as secondary to other crimes.
CP Ewah emphasized that the command is working closely with the state Ministry of Women Affairs and other stakeholders to establish a sexual assault referral centre that will provide medical, legal and psychological services to survivors. The centre, still in its planning stages, is expected to become operational before the end of the year. He also disclosed that the command had trained a dedicated unit on the handling of sexual offence cases, with an emphasis on preserving evidence and ensuring the dignity of the complainant.
As the parade ended, journalists were shown the recovered weapons and exhibits. The 18 suspects, their faces covered or turned away from cameras, were led into police vehicles. They will remain in custody pending the outcome of investigations. For the 64 victims of rape and defilement, the journey to justice has only begun. But for the Commissioner of Police, the numbers are not just statistics; they are a call to action.
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