76-year-old man defiles, impregnates teenage girl in Ogun

David Ogunsanwo, a 76-year-old man, has been apprehended by Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) operatives for the alleged defilement of a 16-year-old girl in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The victim, currently five months pregnant, became the center of attention after Ogunsanwo’s arrest.

Hon. Adijat Adeleye, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, confirmed the incident to the press and expressed concern about the increasing cases of defilement in society.

She assured that the case would be taken to court, emphasizing that her ministry would actively pursue justice.

Condemning the pervasive acts of sexual abuse in the country, the commissioner urged victims to speak out. She also called on parents to refrain from withdrawing cases, as doing so could perpetuate such crimes and endanger other children.

She recalled how a 12-year-old girl was defiled by two men, and the father withdrew the case from the police, regretting that the same girl had been violated again.

“We are aware that cases of violation and abuse are increasing. There’s a huge increase in these kinds of crimes, especially against children.

“The incidents of people going to police, reporting and withdrawing the case is also increasing. And we want to draw the attention of all parents, that if your child is a victim of violation, report the case to the police and do not withdraw it, because when you withdraw the case, it gives the perpetrator the leeway to continue to do it and also do it to other children.

“I am calling on the National Council of Women’s Society. We have a case of a 12-year-old girl, who has been violated before by two men. The case has been withdrawn by the father, and now she has been violated again by another person,” she regretted.

The former lawmaker said they should sensitise parents to stop withdrawing such cases “because our biggest problem is that when things like this happen, parents say they don’t want to make it public.”