Published by Osasere Edomwonyi Ikpoba
The Edo State Government has confirmed the arrest of an Islamic cleric, popularly known as an Alfa, and the paternal aunt of a 16-year-old secondary school student over the alleged sexual abuse and impregnation of the minor, in a case that has exposed a disturbing pattern of systemic abuse and the betrayal of trust by a family caregiver. The Edo Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Eugenia Abdallah, provided the update in Benin City on Thursday, September 3, 2026, stating that both suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.
According to the Commissioner, the teenager was placed in the care of her paternal aunt, her father’s younger sister, following the separation of her parents and subsequent family circumstances. It was during this period of vulnerability that the alleged abuse began. The aunt regularly visited the Alfa’s residence for prayers and would sometimes leave the girl there while she went to the market. She also repeatedly sent the girl alone to the Alfa’s residence on errands, including to have her mobile phone repaired, despite having sons she could have sent for the same purpose.
The Commissioner revealed that the girl was allegedly rendered sleepy or incapacitated during some visits and subsequently sexually assaulted by the Alfa. When the girl later complained to her aunt about physical discomfort, her concerns were dismissed as delayed menstruation or possible hallucinations. The teenager, who was still attending secondary school, did not initially know she was pregnant until concerns were raised by others. It was only when the girl’s friends became suspicious and reported their concerns to the school’s headmistress that the Ministry of Women Affairs was contacted. Further enquiries by the ministry revealed that the girl was already more than five months pregnant when the situation came to official attention.
After the pregnancy was discovered, the aunt allegedly attempted to force the girl to terminate it, prompting the girl to contact her parents for assistance. The matter was subsequently reported to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), leading to the arrest and arraignment of the Alfa and the aunt. The aunt was initially released on bail but was later re-arrested and remained in police custody alongside the Alfa as investigations continue.
The Commissioner said the girl is currently being cared for at a government shelter, where arrangements are being made for her to complete the pregnancy safely under appropriate supervision. Discussions are ongoing about options for the baby after delivery, including possible adoption, subject to the best interests of the child. The girl’s mother is making arrangements to relocate her to Lagos after delivery, where she can continue her education and rebuild her life.
The Edo Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, continues to respond to sexual and gender-based violence through psychosocial support, counselling, protective care, and referral services. The ministry also collaborates with security and justice agencies to strengthen responses to reported cases, protect survivors, and ensure appropriate referrals. The ministry had earlier disclosed that more than 70 cases of incestuous defilement were recorded between January and July 2026, with fathers allegedly responsible for about 50 per cent of cases, involving children aged between two and 10 years.
The case of the 16-year-old student underscores the urgent need for stronger child protection mechanisms in Edo State and across Nigeria, where sexual violence against children continues to be a pervasive and devastating problem. The arrest of the cleric and the aunt, and the government’s swift intervention to protect the survivor, offer a glimmer of hope amid a deeply troubling case. As investigations continue, the public awaits justice for a young girl whose trust was betrayed by those who should have protected her.
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