Igala Community Chief Arrested for Child Defilement

Muhammad Salifu, the Head of the Igala Community in Lagos, was arrested by officers from the Lagos State Police Command Gender Unit on suspicion of child defilement after a report by Saturday PUNCH. The arrest occurred on a Wednesday after Salifu resisted police officers at his residence, leading to a scuffle that required backup from Ogudu Police Station.

The allegations stem from an incident in December when a 15-year-old girl was reportedly raped twice by Salifu at a hotel in Ojota, Lagos. Following the assaults, the girl became pregnant, and her mother, Elizabeth Yakubu, stated that Salifu initially denied responsibility but later acknowledged the pregnancy and paid N50,000 for an abortion, which the family rejected.

The teenager underwent a caesarean section, but the baby died after seven days due to complications. The family reported the case to various police units, and Salifu denied the allegations, claiming they were politically motivated.

The case is still under investigation.