Lagos, Nigeria – A father of three, identified as Davies, is calling on the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the Ministry of Justice, and the Nigerian Bar Association to intervene in the case of the alleged defilement of his teenage daughter (name withheld) by a suspect named Osunyomi in Lagos.
According to Davies, the incident occurred on Tuesday, July 11, when the suspect broke into his house while he and his wife were away and sexually assaulted his daughter. He explained that his daughter was reading the Bible when she heard footsteps and went to investigate. The intruder, described as a tall, slim, bleach-fair guy with a mark on his hand and facial spots and pimples, attacked her.
Davies recounted the harrowing experience, stating that his daughter was found naked, with her clothes torn and dipped inside her mouth, and her face covered with mucus. The traumatized girl was taken to the Sexual Assault Centre at Igando General Hospital for medical care.
Beyond the assault, the family also reported that N180,000 was missing from their apartment.
Davies reported the case to the Isheri Police Division, and the suspect was subsequently identified and arrested by the police based on the survivor’s description and other information provided. The case was then transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) at Panti, Lagos. However, the family claims to have faced challenges in getting the police to investigate the matter thoroughly.
According to Davies, the investigating officer (IPO) requested funds for fingerprint and footprint analysis, and the family complied. They also provided a vehicle for a visit to the crime scene. However, they allege that the police did not follow through as promised.
After three weeks without updates, Davies visited the SCIID with a lawyer, but they were reportedly rebuffed by the IPO, who allegedly released the suspect, claiming that the allegations against him were false.
In response to the situation, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, advised the family to report the case to the agency and the Gender Desk of the Lagos Police Command. She encouraged them to seek assistance from the agency to ensure that the survivor receives comprehensive support and services.
As of the time of reporting, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, had not responded to inquiries about the case.
The family is now appealing for intervention from relevant authorities and legal bodies to ensure justice for their daughter.