A 23-year-old man, Audu Mai Faskare, has been arrested in Tunga, Minna, Niger State, for allegedly raping two minors, aged 8 and 10.
One of them, however, reported to her parents after he raped the two girls at the same time same day.
She said the weekend episode was the second time Faskare forcefully had carnal knowledge of her; the first happened when she was sent on an errand by her mother.
According to her, she met the other minor on the way when Faskare called them to help him run an errand. On getting to his house, he locked the door and asked them to strip.
The second minor, who was reluctant to speak at first, opened up after her colleague’s confession. She said Saturday’s incident was the fourth time Faskare would rape her.
She said it started some months back when she was going to school. He called her into his room to send her on an errand; he locked the door and told her to remove her clothes, she refused but was unable to scream because he shut her mouth. This happened three times.
State FIDA Chairperson Magistrate Mairo Jibo described the incident as unfortunate, and lamented that it was reported a day after when all evidences would have been lost.
She, however, said with the innocence of the girls, any judge could see they were telling the truth, stressing that the association of women lawyers would ensure that the culprit does not go unpunished.
“Looking at the way the girls described the incident, it is evident they do not understand the consequence of what was done to them. It is unfortunate.”
Director General of the Niger State Child’s Right Agency, Mariam Haruna Kolo, said the agency would ensure that justice is served.
She called on parents to avoid sending their children out unnecessarily and to investigate when they return from errands late.
Efforts to see Faskare at the police station were unsuccessful. A policeman, however, said Faskare denied knowing the girls or having any affair with them.
The girls are at the police clinic in Minna waiting to be examined for evidences.
