NSCDC arrests four-member gang for alleged genital mutilation and rape of minors in Niger

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, Niger State Command, has arranged for the arrest of four suspects who allegedly specialized in genital mutilation, gang rape of minors and other criminal acts in Pandogari town, Rafi Local Government Area of ​​the state.

The State Commander of the Corps, Mr. Joachim Okafor, who made this disclosure in Minna, said they were nabbed through a verifiable intelligence mechanism set up by the Divisional Command.

“The arrest is part of the Corps’ mandate to ensure the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, safe school initiatives, and protection of life and property in the state,” the State Corps Commander said.

The suspects include Aliyu Amiru (20 years old), Suleiman Abubakar Gambo (19 years old) and Yusuf Malam Murtala (22 years old), all residents of Pandogari town.

Okafor, who spoke through Deputy Commander DCC Abdulhameed Kabara, said the syndicate gang-raped a 13-year-old JSS 1 student (name withheld) of Pandogari Day School after drugging her with a substance.

He disclosed that on Thursday, May 2, 2024, the headmaster informed the Corps personnel about the syndicate’s activities “and a strategy was immediately perfected by using the victim as bait, which led to the arrest of a member.” the gang.”

According to him, the victim had told officers of the command that Aliyu Amiru and other members of his syndicate kidnapped her in 2022 and took her to the outskirts of the city where they gang-raped her in an unfinished building.

“During their captivity, a little boy of less than two years was brought, and in their presence his manhood was chopped off.

“She claimed that the gang told her that they were asked by one Baba Sada to bring the mutilated manhood to use in a spell to protect them from dangerous weapons like bullets, matches, daggers, knives and others would,” she said Commander revealed.

Okafor further explained that the case had been referred to the Intelligence and Investigation Unit of the State Command Headquarters for discreet investigation, adding that they would all subsequently be brought to court for prosecution.