Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 52-year-old private home lesson teacher, Daniel Erumudonmoh Okhuilegbe, for the alleged defilement of a 13-year-old pupil entrusted to his care, in a case that has once again exposed the disturbing ease with which predators exploit positions of trust to prey on vulnerable children. Okhuilegbe was apprehended on August 5, 2026, following a complaint by the victim's family, and has since been charged before the Benin High Court and remanded at the Oko Correctional Centre.
The Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Patrick Daaor, announced the arrest during his maiden press briefing in Benin City on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, where he outlined the command's intensified operational strategy to curb crime and protect vulnerable citizens. "Let me state clearly from the outset that the security and safety of Edo people remain the central priority of this Command," Daaor declared. "We are also strengthening our operational posture by turning Edo State to a highly Mobile Command. The objective is simple: to ensure that criminals do not find Edo State a comfortable operating environment."
According to police sources, the 13-year-old victim's family had engaged Okhuilegbe as a home lesson teacher, trusting him to provide academic guidance to their child. However, the suspect allegedly abused that trust and sexually assaulted the minor. "The complainant alleged that the suspect was engaged as a home lesson teacher but allegedly abused the trust placed in him and sexually assaulted the child," CP Daaor stated. Following a thorough investigation, the suspect was charged before the Benin High Court on August 14, 2026, and remanded at the Oko Correctional Centre, Benin.
The arrest of Okhuilegbe was part of a broader crackdown by the Edo State Police Command on sexual offences against minors. The Commissioner disclosed that a total of six suspects have been arrested over separate allegations of sexual assault and defilement involving minors. Among those arrested was a 42-year-old father accused of raping his 15-year-old daughter in Iyahmo. He was also charged to court on August 14 and remanded at the Benin Correctional Centre. Other suspects include 29-year-old Samson Amachie, who allegedly lured an 11-year-old girl to an uncompleted building behind his shop in Okhoro; 26-year-old Otaru Jonathan, who took a 14-year-old girl on a motorcycle to an uncompleted building at Afokpella and assaulted her; and 21-year-old Innocent Emmanuel, who allegedly defiled an eight-year-old girl in New Etete. A 42-year-old man, Orji Okoro, was also arrested for the alleged defilement of a 12-year-old male apprentice.
CP Daaor, who recently assumed command of the Edo State Police Force, has declared that the era of criminals operating with impunity in the state is over. "Our approach is one of prevention, swift intervention, intelligence gathering, effective investigation and prosecution, while maintaining respect for the rights of all citizens," he said. He warned criminals and their collaborators to leave the state, vowing that no criminal activity would go unpunished.
The case of Daniel Okhuilegbe serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that lurk behind the façade of trust. Parents who entrust their children to tutors, teachers and caregivers must remain vigilant, as predators often exploit these relationships to gain access to their victims. The Edo State Police Command has urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities or incidents of sexual abuse to the authorities, assuring that all complaints will be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
As the suspect awaits his day in court, the 13-year-old victim and her family are left to grapple with the trauma of the ordeal. The police have ensured that the survivor received medical attention, and the Gender and Family Support Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department has been involved in the case. The outcome of the trial will be closely watched by advocates for child protection, who hope that it will send a strong message to would-be offenders that the justice system will hold them accountable for their crimes.
The Edo State Police Command's renewed focus on combating sexual offences against minors is a welcome development in a state that has recorded numerous cases of child defilement in recent years. The arrest and remand of Daniel Okhuilegbe, along with the other suspects, signals a shift towards a more proactive and intelligence-led approach to policing, one that prioritises the protection of the most vulnerable members of society.
As the investigation continues, the people of Edo State and the wider Nigerian public await the outcome of the trial, hoping that justice will be served and that the victims will find healing and closure. The message from the Edo State Police Command is clear: the safety and security of citizens, especially children, remain a top priority, and those who violate the law will face the full consequences of their actions.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments