Nine Arrested for Rape and Assault of Minors in Niger

The Niger State Police Command arrested nine suspects involved in various cases of rape and sexual assault against minors. The arrests were confirmed by SP Wasiu Abiodun on a Thursday in Minna.

The suspects include Lawal Abubakar, Moham Umar, Emmanuel Patrick, Juliu Nyikwa, Lawal Gimba, Badamasi Abdullahi, Usman Haruna Musa, Jafar Moham, Emmanuel Ikechukwu, and Usman Abubakar. Investigations revealed that the suspects lured their victims into incomplete buildings or their rooms to commit the crimes.

The first reported case occurred on February 1, 2026, involving Lawal Abubakar, 30, who attempted to rape a 6-year-old girl. Subsequent reports led to the arrest of Moham Umar, 18, on February 10, 2026, for luring a 3-year-old girl.

Other cases involved suspects aged between 15 and 59, with one being a blind man, Juliu Nyikwa, accused of raping a 10-year-old girl. The police are transferring the suspects to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna for further investigation and prosecution.