ABEOKUTA – The Ogun State Police Command has arrested the alleged ringleader of a gang rape involving a 15-year-old girl in Ifo Local Government Area, in what authorities have described as a major breakthrough in the case.
The Ogun State Ministry of Justice disclosed this in a statement issued by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, on developments in two gender-based violence cases that have drawn public attention in the state.
According to the Ministry, the victim was allegedly sexually assaulted by four men in the Ibogun area of Ifo Local Government Area. While one suspect, Segun Samuel, was arrested shortly after the incident, three others reportedly fled.
The Ministry revealed that sustained collaboration between the Ogun State Ministry of Justice and the Ogun State Police Command led to the arrest of the alleged mastermind of the attack, Qudus Abiola Yekini.
It described the arrest as a significant step towards securing justice for the victim and reiterated the government’s determination to ensure that the remaining two suspects are tracked down and prosecuted.
“The arrest underscores the Ogun State Government’s zero-tolerance stance on gender-based violence and should reassure the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects,” the statement said.
The Ministry commended the Ogun State Police Command for its role in the operation, particularly the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, Deputy Commissioners of Police, DCP Bolanle Murtala and DCP Gbenga Adeoye, Area Commander, Ifo, ACP Seyi Olugboji Williams, DPO Ifo, CSP Olabisi Kamorudeen, DPO Ibogun, CSP Sasa Adeniyi, and the Officer-in-Charge of Gender Affairs, SP Bunmi Asogbon.
Meanwhile, the Ministry also clarified the widely publicised rape allegation involving Miss Nsikak Abigael Emem, popularly known as Mirabel, stating that investigations and the girl’s own admissions established that the allegation was false and deliberately fabricated.
According to the statement, Mirabel has been placed under the care of the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for psycho-social rehabilitation and is reportedly making positive progress, including preparations for her examinations.
The government reiterated its condemnation of all forms of criminal conduct, including sexual violence against vulnerable persons and the making of false allegations, warning that offenders would be held accountable in accordance with the law.
