Church Guard Arrested for Alleged Rape and Murder of Girl

Godwin Dauda, a 26-year-old security guard at the Apostolic Church, was arrested for the alleged rape and murder of 11-year-old Christabel Albert in Suleja, Niger State. The incident took place on September 19, 2026, when Christabel left home to attend a relative's birthday celebration.

According to Niger State Police Public Relation Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, Dauda lured Christabel to his security post, where he reportedly raped her and subsequently killed her. A missing-person report was filed on September 20 after she did not return home.

A pastor from the church later discovered her body in a well on church premises. Following an investigation, police suspected Dauda, who had fled the scene, and arrested him around 8 PM on September 23 in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory.

During interrogation, Dauda confessed to the crime, stating he attempted to conceal it by dumping the body in the well. The police are conducting a preliminary investigation and plan to transfer him to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna for further action.