Edo ministry gives update on sexual abuse of 16-year-old

The Edo Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah, says an Alfa and the paternal aunt of a 16-year-old student are in police custody over alleged sexual abuse.

Mrs Abdallah gave the update in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Thursday, saying that the aunt, who had been granted bail, was re-arrested.

She said the girl was placed in the care of her paternal aunt, her father’s younger sister, following the separation of her parents and subsequent family circumstances.

According to the commissioner, the aunt regularly visited the Alfa’s residence for prayers and sometimes left the girl there while she went to the market.

She said the aunt also repeatedly sent the girl alone to the Alfa’s residence on errands, including having her mobile phone repaired, despite having sons she could have sent.

Mrs Abdallah said the girl was allegedly rendered sleepy or incapacitated during some visits and subsequently sexually assaulted by the Alfa, according to the information received.

She said the girl later complained to her aunt about physical discomfort, but her concerns were dismissed as delayed menstruation or possible hallucinations by the caregiver.

She didn’t know she was pregnant

The commissioner said the girl, who was still attending secondary school, did not initially know she was pregnant until others raised concerns.

She said some of the girls’ friends later became suspicious and reported their concerns to the school’s headmistress, who subsequently contacted the Ministry of Women Affairs.

According to Mrs Abdallah, further enquiries by the ministry revealed that the girl was already more than five months pregnant when the situation came to official attention.

She said that after the pregnancy was discovered, the aunt allegedly attempted to force the girl to terminate it, prompting the girl to contact her parents for assistance.

The commissioner said the matter was subsequently reported to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre, leading to the arrest and arraignment of Alfa and the aunt.

She said the aunt was initially released on bail but was later re-arrested and remained in police custody alongside the Alfa as investigations continued into the allegations.

Mrs Abdallah said the girl was currently being cared for at a government shelter, where arrangements were being made for her to complete the pregnancy safely under appropriate supervision.

She said discussions were ongoing on options available for the baby after delivery, including possible adoption, subject to required procedures and the best interests of the child.

The commissioner added that the girl’s mother was making arrangements to relocate her to Lagos after delivery, where she could continue her education and rebuild her life.

READ ALSO: Most child sexual abuses involve fathers, daughters — Edo govt

NAN reports that the Edo Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, continues to respond to sexual and gender-based violence through psychosocial support, counselling, protective care and referral services.

The ministry also collaborates with security and justice agencies to strengthen responses to reported cases, protect survivors, and ensure that appropriate referrals and support services are provided to affected children.

The ministry earlier disclosed that more than 70 cases of incestuous defilement were recorded between January and July 2026, with fathers allegedly responsible for about 50 per cent of cases.

The cases involved children aged between two and 10 years, according to the ministry, highlighting concerns over sexual violence against children and the need for stronger protection mechanisms.