By Ifeoma Ikem
The Lagos state police command has arrested one Dayo Ahigbede, a middle aged man for allegedly defiled a minor in Orere Abosan Estate, Igbogbo, Ikorodu area of the state .
Saharaweekly learnt that the victim, a person living with downs syndrome was playing in front of her mother’s shop where the suspect is a neighbour from the next compound.
It was gathered that immediately the victim’s mother went inside the house to make use of the rest room, the suspect lured her inside his own compound with sweets.
When the mother came out and did not find her daughter she raised the alarm, which drew the attention of neighbours who joined in the search.
As the search continued, her elder sister saw the victim coming out from the balcony of the next compound where the suspect resides waving to her sister, and with blood stains on jer body.
The neighbour’s went inside to check on the alleged suspect’s apartment to know if there was anybody around where the victim was coming out from.
But when they knocked on the door of the suspect, he did not response but took the next exit and jumped through the fence.
Our reporter gathered that he did not come back for days, and, hoping the matter was over, sneaked in but nemesis caught up with him.
An eagle eyed witness alerted the neighbours who, with the help of a reporter with Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network, arrested him and handed him over to the police.
The suspect confessed that the victim came to his apartment asking for food, adding that he did not force her, neither did he defile her, but only played with her when she came in.
The victim narrated that the suspect called her as she was playing outside to come and collect sweets.
According to a neighbour, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the suspect is a casual worker from one of the companies sround and that nobody knew if he was married or not, or if he had any children.
“The man looked suspicious, always sneaking around.
The victim on the other hand was not in the habit of sccepting things from people.
We were surprised when we heard her mother raise the alarm that the girl was missing as she usually does not play outside of her compound,” she said.
