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Tag: Sexual Abuse

  • 8,692 domestic, sexual abuse cases rock Lagos in one year -Report

    8,692 domestic, sexual abuse cases rock Lagos in one year -Report

    The Lagos State Government has disclosed that a total of 8,692 cases of domestic and sexual-based violence were recorded in the state in the last one year.

    The period spans between August 2024 and July 2025. This underscores the scale of the challenge despite sustained advocacy and interventions.

    Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, revealed the figures on Friday at a news conference to flag off activities for the 2025 Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month in Lagos, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.

    According to him, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) handled an average of 400 new cases monthly, with domestic violence making up the largest share at 3,685 cases.

    Other incidents, he said, included 243 cases of defilement, 244 of child abuse, 99 of rape, 48 of sexual harassment, and 25 of sexual assault by penetration.

    “The youngest survivor we attended to was an 18-month-old baby, while the oldest was a 79-year-old woman. This confirms that sexual and gender-based violence cuts across all ages,” said Pedro, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General, Hameed Oyenuga.

    He also revealed that 3,090 children were exposed to emotional abuse as indirect victims of domestic violence, adding that counseling support had been provided to mitigate long-term trauma.

    On patterns observed, the Attorney-General noted that more men reported cases compared to previous years, while 60% of survivors of domestic violence were in marriages of less than five years, with financial dependence and cultural factors contributing to delayed reporting.

    The findings also showed a worrying link between mental health and violence.

    “Our data indicates that 10% of survivors said their abusers had been diagnosed with mental health conditions,” Pedro disclosed.

    Beyond statistics, the Attorney General stated that the state provided direct interventions, as survivors received referrals for police support, health care, legal aid, and mediation services, adding that in cases requiring urgent protection, shelters and empowerment initiatives were made available, while 1,489 survivors and 249 abusers accessed psychotherapy and psychosocial support.

    Pedro stressed the government’s resolve to intensify awareness campaigns, noting that from August 2024 to July 2025, the DSVA engaged 6.3 million residents across all 20 LGAs through door-to-door campaigns, market drives, school outreach programs, and community meetings.

    “We are building a Lagos where silence is no longer an option, and where survivors know that help is just a call away,” he said.

    To further strengthen prevention, he said the state expanded the Kings Club and Queens Club initiative, reaching 1,560 children with lessons on positive masculinity and femininity.

    Survivors in high-risk categories also accessed support through the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Trust Fund, which provided medical aid, housing, and business grants.

    Pedro reaffirmed Lagos’ zero-tolerance stance on SGBV, saying that “The effects of domestic and sexual violence are devastating, ranging from PTSD and depression to extreme fear and low self-esteem. Our duty is to ensure survivors are not just heard, but supported to heal and rebuild their lives.”

  • I was sexually molested by my mother’s friend at age 6 – Dele Alli

    I was sexually molested by my mother’s friend at age 6 – Dele Alli

    Nigerian born Three Lions of  England International, Dele Alli, has made starling revelations of how he was sexually abused at the age of six by his mother’s friend.

    The Former Tottenham of England forward made this revelation while appearing on Gary Neville’s show, “The Overlap.

    According to Alli, he had an addiction to sleeping tablets and disclosed how he spent six weeks in rehab in the USA this summer.

    “At six, I was molested,” the Everton midfielder told Gary Neville on The Overlap.

    “I was sent to Africa to learn discipline. Then I was sent back. Seven, I started smoking. Eight I started dealing drugs, selling drugs.

    An older person told me they wouldn’t stop a kid so I’d ride around with my football and then underneath I’d have the drugs.

    “Eleven, I was hung off a bridge by a guy from the next estate. At 12, I was adopted. And from then, I was adopted by an amazing family, I couldn’t have asked for better people to do what they’ve done for me… If God created people, it was them. They are amazing and have helped me a lot.”

    “I got addicted to sleeping tablets and it’s probably not a problem only I have. I think it’s something that’s going around more than people realise in football.”

    The England international, who spent last season on loan at Besiktas, added, “Now is probably the right time to tell people. It’s tough to talk about it as it’s quite recent and something I’ve hidden for a long time and I’m scared to talk about it. When I came back from Turkey, I came back and found out I needed an operation.

    “I was in a bad place mentally. I decided to go to a modern rehab facility that deals with addiction and mental health and trauma. I felt it was time for me. You can’t be told to go there, you have to make the decision yourself.

    “I was in a bad cycle. I was relying on things that were doing me harm. I was waking up every day, winning the fight going into training every day smiling – willing to show I was happy. Inside I was losing the battle and it was time to change. When I was told I needed surgery I could feel the feelings I had when the cycle began.

    “Everton were amazing and supported me. I will be grateful to them forever. For them to be so honest and understanding I couldn’t ask for anything more during a time I was making the biggest decision of my life – doing something I was scared to do. I’m happy I’ve done it.”

  • I was sent to Africa after sexually abused at age 6 – Dele Alli

    I was sent to Africa after sexually abused at age 6 – Dele Alli

    Former Tottenham star, Dele Alli has revealed he sent to Africa to learn discipline after the footballer was sexually abused when he was six years old.

    He made the shocking revelation on Gary Neville’s YouTube channel The Overlap.

    “At six I was molested,” he said.

    Alli, who returned to Everton in April, opened up about his difficult childhood and how it pushed him to attend a rehab facility in the US.

    “I was sent to Africa to learn discipline and then I was sent back.

    “At seven I started smoking and then at eight I started selling drugs.

    “An older person told me they wouldn’t stop a kid on a bike so I’d ride around with my football and underneath I’d have drugs.

    “At 11 I was hung off a bridge by a guy from the next estate. A man.

    “By 12 I was adopted but from then it was like I was adopted by an amazing family.”

    Alli said he entered a rehab facility for six weeks in recent months for an addiction to sleeping tablets and excessive drinking.

    “It’s been going on for a long time without me realising it, I was doing [it] to numb the feelings I had – I didn’t realise I was doing it for that purpose,” he said.

    “It’s probably a problem not only I have, I think it’s going around more than people realise in football.

    “I’ve definitely abused them too much. It got really bad at some points and I didn’t understand how bad it was but I was never dealing with the root of the problem – when I was growing up the traumas I had, the feelings I had and I tried to deal with it all by myself,” he said.

    “I lost myself for a few years.”

  • Court sentences Islamic teacher to life imprisonment for defiling eight pupils

    Court sentences Islamic teacher to life imprisonment for defiling eight pupils

    An Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court, Lagos State, has sentenced an Islamic teacher, Adam Farouk, to life imprisonment for defiling eight pupils in his class.

    Farouk is being accused of defiling the pupils, who were between the ages of six and 11, between November 2018 to February 2019 on Balogun Street, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    The convict was arraigned on eight counts of sexual assault preferred against him by the Lagos State Government.

    While delivering judgment on Tuesday, the trial judge, Justice Abiola Soladoye, held that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt the ingredients of the eight counts bordering on sexual assault by penetration.

    Justice Soladoye described the convict as morally corrupt and an embarrassment to the Islamic faith.

    The judge held that the testimony of the survivors was consistent and truthful, adding that their demeanor during trial showed that they were not lying.

    She said the evidence of the pupils was corroborated as they identified the convict as their teacher who penetrated their private parts with his index fingers.

    Justice Soladoye held that the evidence of the 10th prosecution witness, a midwife with the Women at Risk International Foundation, Mrs Oluchi Nwoke-Okoi, revealed that the pupils had vaginal injuries.

    The judge further held that the defendant asked the pupils to turn their backs while he defiled them one after the other.

    according to the judge, the convict lied to the court during the trial but the court did not fall for his lies.

    “The demeanour of the defendant is nothing to write home about; his stony face appears mischievous; he is extremely unkind and ruthless, fingering his students with his index fingers.

    “What an Islamic teacher, who took undue advantage of poor students in Islam and messed around with their purity and dignity.

    “He is meant to teach his students morals, discipline and values, but alas, the reverse is the case. The dignity and safety of our students must be cherished. Dirty Islamic teacher of his kind must be locked away and made to pay for his dirty sexual indiscretions,” the judge.

    The judge called on the Lagos State Government to adequately monitor educational institutions.

    She also urged Muslim communities to regularly visit Islamic schools unannounced and get feedback firsthand from students and parents on the activities and conduct of their teachers.

    “The need for this can never be overemphasized in view of the rampant scenes of this heinous crime. I salute the courage of the survivors for speaking up against the defendant without any fear of intimidation. Abused children are to be encouraged to speak up so that their assailants will be shamed and sanctioned accordingly.

    “A teacher is a role model, setting the pace and leading by example as he is expected to impact knowledge and morals, but this defendant is nothing of such as he threw caution to the wind and messed around. On the testimonies of each of the prosecution witnesses and that of the sole defence witness, I am convinced beyond reasonable doubt that the prosecution has proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.

    “The defendant is hereby convicted of all the charges and sentenced to life imprisonment on each of the eight counts, but the sentences shall run concurrently,” Justice Soladoye held.

    The judge also ordered that the convict should have his name written in the Sexual Offenders Register of Lagos State.

    The prosecution called 10 witnesses during the trial while the defendant testified as the sole defence witness.

  • Ex-BBNaija housemate, BamBam calls for stricter laws, punishments for sex abusers

    Ex-BBNaija housemate, BamBam calls for stricter laws, punishments for sex abusers

    Big Brother Naija Season 3 “Double Wahala” housemate, Oluwabamike Olawunmi, aka BamBam, has called on the Nigerian authorities to have stricter laws and punishments for sex abusers, noting that she was abused from the age of two till eight by a nanny.

    She explained that the nanny used to make her suck her (nanny) breasts and would use her fists to masturbate.

    According to her, she could not confide in her parents because the nanny threatened her.

    The businesswoman, who now has two daughters of her own, said the abuse left her with trauma that she still has to deal with now that she is married.

    Ex-BBNaija housemate, BamBam calls for stricter laws and punishments for sex abusers

    Recall that ex-Big Brother Naija Housemate, Tope Adenibuyan, popularly known as Teddy A, and BamBam had welcomed their second child.

    BamBam announced the arrival of their second child on her Instagram handle, “bammybestowed”.

    The newborn’s picture was displayed as she wrote, “Akorede Maya Adenibuyan 03: 03: 2022”.

    The couple’s fans felicitated with them at the comment section of the post on Instagram.

    Ex-BBNaija housemate, BamBam calls for stricter laws and punishments for sex abusers

    Nollywood Actress, Juliet Ibrahim said, “aww my little birthday mate, God bless your bundle of joy. Congratulations hun”.

    Also, Regina Daniels wrote “Congratulations baby”.

    Beverly Osu said, “Congratulations”.

    Toyin Abraham wrote, “Congratulations darling”.

    Bisola Aiyeola said, “Congratulations guys”.

    Recall that Teddy A and BamBam were ex-housemates during the 2018 edition of the Big Brother Naija reality show, tagged “Double Wahala”and they got married in 2019.

    They had a very beautiful wedding ceremony in Dubai which was attended by friends and family of the couple.

    The couple had their first child in 2020 who was named Zendaya Folakemi Adenibuyan.

  • Septuagenarian arrested for alleged sexual abuse of minor

    Septuagenarian arrested for alleged sexual abuse of minor

    A 74-year old man, Bassey Inyang, has been handed over to the police for alleged sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl in Calabar.

     

    The suspect was whisked away by men of the Anti-Cult and Kidnapping Squad of the Cross River Police Command following the alarm raised by members of the community.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the witness alleged this was not Inyang’s first time while other parents, who had similar experiences, also told their stories.

     

    They said luck ran out of the suspect when the mother of the 12-year-old came to the suspect’s compound to confront him because her daughter had contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD).

     

    They said the mother noticed blood stains on the underwear of the minor and asked her what happened and she said she had been assaulted sexually by the suspect.

  • My father has been sleeping with me since I was ten, says 17-year-old lady

    My father has been sleeping with me since I was ten, says 17-year-old lady

    A 17-year-old girl has revealed her 45-year-old father, Nelson Akinsowon has sexually abused her continuously for seven years.

    The secondary school girl who disclosed this to Policemen at the Fagun Police Division in Ondo town, Ondo West Local Government Area said she ran away from home when she could not bear the abuse anymore.

    Narrating her ordeal, the girl said her father who is a secondary school teacher began molesting her in 2014 and has continued since.

    He said the abuse began after her mother left home due to health issues.

    She added that her father’s wife who had been preaching to her about keeping herself from men until she was married was not aware of what had been going on.

    “I could no longer bear it and there was nobody I could tell because he threatened to kill me if I expose his action.

    “This made me run away from the house till I was invited by the police to come to the station.”

    Meanwhile, the suspect who had been arrested by the Police in the Fagun Division denied the allegations made by his daughter.

    According to the suspect, “It was her mother that cooked up the story against me just to tarnish my image in the society because she is no longer staying with me as my wife. I never slept with my daughter.”

    One of the family members of the victim also revealed that the girl confided in her about what had been going on.

    The family member who craved anonymity said the girl told her that the father used to sleep with her anytime he was drunk.

  • Why adults sexually abuse minors – Ozioma Onyenweaku

    Why adults sexually abuse minors – Ozioma Onyenweaku

    Ozioma Onyenweaku

    Today I have decided to address here this question which many people have always asked me. Each and every forum I discuss the protection of children from sexual abuse, this question often pops out: why would a full-fledge adult choose to sexually abuse an under-age child when there are a lot of fellow adults around? What is the fascinating thing about a child’s under-developed body that entices a man?

    It is crazy but it keeps happening all over the world. Even as we are discussing this some children somewhere are undergoing sexual abuse. We have reports where even babies in pampers were violated; and some died in the process. It is global, and cuts across tribes and nations, only differing in degree and frequency.
    Why do they do it?

    We remember I wrote some time ago about a group of people who identified themselves as MAPs (Minor Attracted Persons). Disgusting! These ones claim that by their nature they are attracted sexually only to minors. This group can fall into the ones identified by Psychology as ‘Paedophiles’, and their disorder is termed by psychologists as ‘paedophilia’. Paedophilia is defined as a psychological disorder which makes minors attractive to adults. These ones derive pleasure even by mere seeing a baby’s genital or a little child’s laps.
    So one reason adduced is psychological disorder.

    Second reason is the belief that sex with a minor cures HIV. What a lunatic belief! This crazy belief started years ago in South Africa after the outbreak of HIV/AIDS. We know that this belief spread like wild fire. That was why in any case of child sexual abuse we insisted that the culprit be tested for HIV. I remember the case of an 8-year old girl who was raped in turns by Mr. Opurum (42) and Mr. Omokaro (30) in Yaba Lagos some years ago. When charged to court, the duo of Opurum and Omokaro were sent for HIV test. Lo and behold, they came out positive! Definitely, they must have been aware of their health status, and must have picked the 8-year old girl as their ‘cure’

    The third reason is for ritual purposes. Yes, you heard me right! Our little ones are being violated for ritual purposes. Some people have been made to believe by their witch doctors that sleeping with minors would boost their health, their wealth or business. A case in point is that of a former Chinese lawmaker and businessman some years ago. Precisely in January 2008, a court in China convicted one WU TIANXI for defiling minors. This former lawmaker and businessman was told by his sorcerer that his business would be boosted if he slept with ten virgins. This man decided that he was going to make it big; so he gave himself a target of 100 virgins (minors being the assured virgins). He had succeeded in defiling 20 minors before he was caught, prosecuted, convicted and sentenced to death.

    We also have a case of one General Overseer of a church in Lagos who was accused by some teenage boys of sexually assaulting them. Their report was that the said pastor would use handkerchief to collect the sperm of the boy victims. He was reported as having sexually assaulted each of the seven boys separately after confirming from them that they had started having ‘wet dreams’, and had never had any sexual act with anyone.

    It was when one of the boy victims confided in his mother that the whole secret leaked leading to the arrest of the General Overseer.
    On another occasion a little girl of about 4 years old reported to her mother that the mothers business neighbor used a white handkerchief to wipe her genital after violating her; that the man folded the handkerchief carefully and went away with it.

    Another reason is in the confession of one man. The molester said he was going after minors in the age age bracket of 10 and 14 because he was poor, and those young ones would not be making financial demands on him. He said that just soft drinks and snacks were all those young ones would be satisfied with; and no commitment. He also revealed a sub reason. He stated that there was too much promiscuity among bigger girls, so he feared contracting HIV, and decided to stick to the pure and innocent minors.

    I also got a very vital point from this man’s confession. He said he was careful to choose those minors that had no free communication with their parents or guardians, and could keep the secret.
    I hope you find this is as much revealing as I found it. May we all be determined to keep our children safe.

  • Incessant child sexual abuse: The homes have lost their safety for children – Ozioma Onyenweaku

    Incessant child sexual abuse: The homes have lost their safety for children – Ozioma Onyenweaku

    Ozioma Onyenweaku

    In Delta State of Nigeria, a man was arrested for allegedly raping and impregnating his 15-year-old daughter, and procuring abortion for her. The victim was 10 years old when the first abuse occurred.

    She informed her mother who told her to keep quiet over it. The mother did not only tell her to keep quiet, she did nothing to protect the girl.

    So the abuse continued till the girl got pregnant by her father. Abortion was procured for her by her father and mother.The nauseating aspect of this case is that the girl’s mother was aware of the abuse and she did nothing about it, preferring to save her marriage than save the life and mental health of her daughter.

    Secondly, the grandparents were aware but preferred to save face and family reputation (as if they had any) than save their grandchild who should have been more precious to them. Surprisingly too, the Pastor of their church was aware but preferred to cover it up so as not to lose members. Are we all going insane? I got to know about a situation where a teacher in a private school observed that a particular girl had become gloomy and appeared to be having difficulty walking.

    The girl later confided in the teacher that it was her madam’s husband, a banker, that had been sexually abusing her. The girl had earlier called her father and informed him. His response? “Try and endure it; you know how much that man is helping our family.”When the teacher informed the school authority, the girl’s father was invited to the school.

    He did not honour the invitation. He was pleaded with on phone to visit the school; he said he knew why he was being called that the man in question had been good to his family. The school did not want to be proactive in their action because they did not want the school to be seen as ‘embarrassing’ parents and guardians. Here again, the reputation of the school was on the priority list against the saving of the girl victim.

    When the news filtered to us, and the school was visited, it was discovered that the man-monster had relocated his family out of the area; and the school was not willing to give out the name of the bank where the man-monster was working. Neither were they willing to release the address of the girl’s father.

    So you see, our problem lies with us. Most of the time, when issues arise with respect to children and I call out to mothers, some people tend to query my constant reference to mothers as if they are the only ones to take care of a child. Honestly, I know that the fathers are involved too in having oversight over the children. However, I was not the one who referred to mothers as homemakers or home keepers. So bear with me if you understand me to be overleaning on this role given to women by our Maker.A report from UNICEF shows that the COVID -19 lockdown led to an increase in child sexual abuse.

    85% of the cases reported were of child sexual abuse. So these abuses happened at home. Yes, at home where the children are supposed to feel free and safe.So where were the mothers? Everyone was at home! A lot of children are going through a lot of sexual abuse in homes especially now. Imagine the abusers being on lockdown with the children 24/7. The first point of protection should be mothers. It is sad that some mothers prefer to cover up the abuse of their children in the name of protecting marriage, and family name. Do please have a rethink, sisters. Mothers, this is no time to let down guards. Be observant of what is going on in your homes. Condone no evil so that it will be well with you.

    Think of the agony, the trauma,the mental torture these abuses subject these children to. I don’t think any child grows up loving the mother who stood by while she was being damaged; and mother who could have done something about stopping the abuse but chose not to. Seriously too, it is time for the men to call themselves to round table discussion on how to advise themselves.

    For goodness sake, men are humans and not beasts, for crying out loud! Children have been given to us by God in trust. So we all have accounting to render as to how well we have discharged our duties in caring for and protecting the children.

  • Buhari speaks on sex-for-grade saga, advocate tougher action against sexual abuse

    Buhari speaks on sex-for-grade saga, advocate tougher action against sexual abuse

    President Muhammadu Buhari says that stricter laws are needed to prevent girls from being abused in schools across the country.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, said Buhari made his feelings known while reacting to the recent high profile revelation of sexual abuse cases in institutions of higher learning in the country,

    He expressed delight that the incident, which exposed through under-cover news reporting at the University of Lagos, had spurred an amendment to the nation’s laws regarding the issue in the National Assembly.

    President Buhari said such proposed amendments passed by the Legislature will get his support “as long as they conform to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “The country must do more to address incidents of sexual violence, sexual abuses in our schools, discrimination, human trafficking and cultural practices that violate women’s rights.”

    He urged law enforcement agencies and school administrators to take up such cases with every seriousness and ensure that perpetrators face the consequences of their actions.

    “Survivors and their families must avoid cover up. They should be encouraged to come forth and report cases of abuses wherever and whenever they occur,” the President demanded.