59-year-old man arrested for raping girl, 8

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 59-year-old man for allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl in Ketu area of the state.

According to the police, the suspect, identified as Soneye, raped the victim at his home located at Badejoko Street, Ikosi, Ketu.

The suspect, who goes by the pseudonym, Babalawo, allegedly lured the victim to his house while she was on her way to school.

The victim told PUNCH Metro that the incident happened when she was going to her school.

She said, “I was with my friend and we were on our way to school when Baba (Soneye), who lives in the next compound from ours, called me. He told my friend to wait outside and then took me into his room.

“He pulled down his trousers, took off my pants and inserted his penis into my private part. I later ran out of his room due to the pain I felt. Baba came out and told my friend and me that he would deal with us if we told anyone.”

Our correspondent learnt that the victim and her friend did not tell anyone about the incident which happened late last year until recently when officials of the Kosofe Local Government Education Authority visited Idera Primary School, which she attended.

The victim opened up to the officials that she was having severe pain in her vagina and after interviewing her, she told them about her defilement.

The officials were said to have reported the matter at Ketu Police Division on Tuesday, after which the suspect was arrested.

The suspect however denied having carnal knowledge of the eight-year-old, adding that he was having problems with his reproductive organ.

“These girls are telling lies against me. They claimed the incident allegedly took place last year and yet they are just reporting it. As I am, I have not been sexually active because I have been having challenges,” he said.

The victim’s mother told our correspondent that she was not home as of the time the incident occurred.

She however, confirmed that her daughter had been complaining of vaginal pains for sometime but she never took it seriously.

A doctor’s report made available to our correspondent stated that the victim had lost her virginity and had bruises in her private part.

“Examination shows bruises and broken vaginal hymen,” the report read.

When contacted on the telephone, the spokesperson for the state police command, Ngozi Braide, confirmed Soneye’s arrest.

She said, “The case will soon be charged to court.”

PUNCH