‘Cold weather drove me to attempt rape’–suspect confesses in Osun

A 25-year-old man, Raji Ridwan, has confessed to attempting to rape a 17-year-old university student in Ila-Orangun, Osun State.

According to reports, the suspect blamed his action on the cold weather, claiming it overwhelmed him after rainfall in the area.

The incident occurred on Thursday, May 29, 2025, in a student-dominated neighborhood near the Federal University of Health and Science.

Ridwan claimed he was there on an errand for his uncle to park a motorcycle at a friend’s compound.

According to his confession, the victim had asked for the landlady shortly before entering her room.

Ridwan said he tried to talk to her, but she ignored him and went straight into her room.

“I ran after her and forced my way in with the intention of raping her,” he told security operatives.

The student, however, fought back. She grabbed his clothes and screamed for help, alerting neighbors nearby.

Realizing the danger, Ridwan fled the scene before neighbors could intervene.

A formal report was lodged at the Amotekun Command in Ila, prompting an urgent manhunt.

Amotekun operatives arrested Ridwan at a hideout several hours later.

Amotekun Commandant, Adekunle Omoyele, confirmed the arrest and described the case as disturbing.

Omoyele disclosed that Ridwan had a previous record of sexual abuse involving his younger sibling.

“He was caught by family members after raping a sibling. He was beaten then but not reported to authorities,” Omoyele said.

The suspect is currently in custody and will be arraigned in court after investigations are completed.

In a related incident, 28-year-old Abdulateef Ajao was arrested in Ode-Omu for attempting to rape a minor.

The victim, a primary three pupil hawking pepper, was lured into Ajao’s home under false pretenses.

She escaped after sensing danger and informed her parents, who quickly reported to local security.

Ajao was arrested and is under interrogation pending court arraignment.

The Osun State Amotekun Corps has warned of increased surveillance across student communities and rural settlements.

Omoyele urged parents to educate minors on self-defense and to report any suspicious behavior immediately.

“These predators will face justice. We are intensifying patrols to protect our women, girls, and minors,” he said.

Security experts have called for harsher punishments to deter rape and attempted rape across Nigeria.

They say failure to prosecute earlier offenses gives sexual offenders boldness to strike again.

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