A Kaduna Chief Magistrate Court has ordered the remand of 10 men in a correctional facility for the alleged serial rape of a 14-year-old visually impaired girl in Likoro village, Kudan Local Government Area. An eleventh suspect remains at large.
According to police prosecutor Inspector Yakubu I. Lemu, the suspects repeatedly assaulted the victim at different locations between 2023 and 2024, resulting in a pregnancy that led to the birth of a baby boy four months ago. The crimes were reported by the victim’s brother, Usman Yusuf, last October after discovering her six-month pregnancy.
Justice Abubakar Lamido adjourned the case to May 22 pending legal advice from the Ministry of Justice, noting the charges would be transferred to the High Court. The suspects face charges under Section 257 of the Kaduna State Penal Code.
Kaduna’s Commissioner for Human Services, Hajiya Rabi Salisu, revealed disturbing case details:
- The victim’s parents are blind while she has partial vision impairment
- A retired DPO had initially released suspects on inappropriate bail for the capital offense
- The state has assumed custody of both the teenage mother and her infant
“This case violates multiple state laws including the Child Protection Act and Violence Against Persons law,” Salisu stated, warning that Kaduna’s Sex Offenders Registry would list convicted perpetrators. She commended police for reopening the initially mishandled case and vowed full government support for the victims.
The commissioner reiterated Governor Uba Sani’s zero-tolerance policy for gender-based violence, especially against persons with disabilities. The case has sparked outrage across civil society groups demanding accelerated justice.
