Rape: Landlord’s son allegedly sexually assaults teenager

An unidentified 14-year-old girl was, on Monday, August 12, 2024, allegedly raped by the landlord’s son at Alakuko area of Lagos State, sparking outrage on microblogging site “X”, formerly known as Twitter.

The sexual assault incident came to public attention after a viral video surfaced on Tuesday.

It has led to widespread calls for the arrest of the alleged perpetrator, whose identity remains unknown.

A video had gone viral on social media on Tuesday, appearing to show the aftermath of the incident.

The victim was seen in the video covered in blood as she was escorted away from a crowd that had gathered.

This incident has led to widespread calls from Nigerians for the immediate arrest of the alleged attacker.

Lagos State Police reacts to the rape

Responding to the rape video, Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, urged the public to report the incident to the nearest police station.

Hundeyin alternatively urged the poster provide the location of the crime so that it could be properly investigated.

He stated: “I have been tagged a lot to this post.

“I have equally called the DPO Alakuko repeatedly to get an update.

“The only update I have been getting is, ‘No report of such has been made.’

“Please, do well to report at the nearest police station or provide the address to enable the DPO go verify this report and take necessary steps.”

Shortly after his appeal, Hundeyin announced that the police had located the residence of the alleged perpetrator.

According to the spokesman, this was done in collaboration with Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency.

Survivor, mother unwilling to cooperate

He, however, expressed frustration that both local residents and the survivor’s mother were unwilling to cooperate with the investigation.

Their unwillingness ensued despite being approached by the police for assistance in the rape matter.

He wrote: “The house has been located in conjunction with @Lagosdsva. The landlord is not home.

“The suspect is not home, neither is the survivor nor her family home.

“The survivor’s mum has been contacted on phone but she is not willing to cooperate with the police.

“Also, everyone on the street has declined assisting the police in any form. Radio silence! Investigation is ongoing.”

SP Hundeyin further lamented the frustration of the police in handling delicate rape issues as this.

He said: “This is the major problem we face. Survivors are hidden from the police. Witnesses refuse to talk.

“It happens all the time. Most disappointing aspect is that eminent persons arrange this ‘settlement.’

“How then can justice be served?” he asked.

Force Headquarters in Abuja wades in

Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer at Force Headquarters in Abuja has also called on the family or whoever knows the rape victim to reach out to him.

He said: “The family or whoever knows the young girl, victim, to reach out to me on my line 08037168147.

“Drop sms, please (sic). We need to take up this matter. @BenHundeyin, @LagosPoliceNG, brief me on this case.”

On their part, the anti-gender-based violence unit had previously urged anyone with crucial information about the incident to come forward via its Twitter handle.

In the meantime, some Nigerians have expressed concerns that the police may not do a thorough investigation in the matter.

Some cited an incident when a police officer reportedly raped a 17-year-old girl at Ogudu Police Station in Lagos.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) leant that the identity of the officer involved in the rape has not been revealed till date.

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