Joy Anyim
A 43-year-old Islamic cleric, identified as Abdulsalam Salaudeen, who had allegedly defiled a five-year-old girl from the anus have been arrested by men of the Lagos State Police Command.
The cleric who is resident at No.16, Awoyemi Street, Igando Road, Ikotun, Lagos, reportedly perpetrated the act in the said address where he gathers children for Islamic teachings.
The act, however, attracted the attention of the Police when on Friday, December 28, 2018, a good Nigerian visited the headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command with a video evidence of the act.
The video had showed the cleric having anal sex with the victim, whom he was supposed to be teaching Islamic studies.
The complainant further sought audience with the state Commissioner of Police, CP Imohimi Edgal.
It was learnt that CP Edgal, after watching the heart-rending video, directed the Command’s undercover operatives, attached to the State Intelligence Bureau, to immediately arrest the culprit and hand him over to the Gender Section for detailed investigation.
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Lagos Police Command Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, who confirmed the arrest of the suspect via a press statement said, “Following the directive of the Commissioner of Police to get the suspect arrested, the operatives went in search of the cleric and arrested him near a mosque in the Igando area of the state.
“He was taken from there to the Gender Unit, where the Officer-in-Charge, ASP (Mrs.) Abimbola Williams, confronted him with the video of him defiling the child by penetrating her anus and private parts.
“On seeing himself captured like an actor in a movie, the suspect broke down in tears and owned up to the crime.
The case will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded.”
While commending the courageous act of the good Nigerian, CP Edgal warned parents and guardians to keep constant watch over their children and wards.
He said, “Nobody should be trusted. Be friends with your children and let them be free to share things with you.
“Do not cover up any crime, no matter who is involved. Raise the alarm on child molesters in your neighbourhood so they can face the law and others nursing such thoughts can be deterred.”