New horror: Three arrested for alleged desecration of young children as Kano courts hear murder and genital mutilation cases

Toyyibat Qasim

Nigeria’s criminal justice system is witnessing new developments: three suspects have been arrested for the alleged desecration of two minors in Edo state, while two separate cases involving the alleged murder and amputation of a man’s genitals have come before the courts in Kano state.

The cases, reported Sunday, have drawn attention to allegations of sexual violence against children and violent crimes, with police investigations and prosecutions taking different courses in the two states.

In Edo State, operatives of the state police command have arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged sexual assault and defilement of two children aged two years, nine months and four years respectively.

State police commissioner Patrick Daaor revealed that the cases were handled by the command’s Gender and Family Unit.

He said the suspects will soon be charged to court.

One of the suspects, identified as Destiny Samson, a bricklayer accused of desecrating a four-year-old girl, denied having sexual intercourse with the child but admitted to digitally penetrating her.

“I didn’t know what came over me. I didn’t sleep with her; I just touched her,” he said during an interview.

Samson said the incident came to light when the girl’s mother returned home and raised the alarm, drawing the attention of people in the neighborhood.

He said he asked his mother for forgiveness, but was later arrested by police.

The suspect also asked for forgiveness, saying he had learned his lesson.

Police did not reveal further details about the identities of the other suspects or the circumstances of the alleged attack on the younger child.

Meanwhile, in Kano state, the High Court has commenced proceedings in two separate cases involving charges of murder and grievous bodily harm.

In the first case, the Kano State High Court, presided over by Justice Faruk Lawan, began the trial of Abdullahi Sulaiman, popularly known as Babangida, accused of killing and dismembering his friend Muhammad Salisu Jadalla.

The prosecution, led by lawyers Salisu Tahir and Basiru Kabir, filed a murder charge against the accused under Section 221 of the Penal Code.

Sulaiman has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecution subsequently asked the court for permission to call witnesses, a request granted by the judge.

Sheka Sabuwar Abuja Neighborhood Patrol Team Leader and Ward Head, Usman Umar Zakari, testified during the proceedings.

The defense lawyer, lawyer Ibrahim Muktar, questioned the witnesses.

According to the charges, Jadalla had approached the accused asking for prayers to achieve financial prosperity. The defendant allegedly asked him for money, which Jadalla brought later that evening.

The deceased also allegedly asked to spend the night at the accused’s house, where the alleged murder took place.

The court adjourned the case to November 9, 2026, for continuation of the trial.

In another case before the High Court no. 1 of Kano State, a woman, Maimuna Idris, is on trial for allegedly cutting off the genitals of her boyfriend, Ashiru Sani.

During the hearing at the Audu Bako Secretariat Judicial Complex, the prosecution lawyer, Barrister Safiya Yalwati Yahaya, called Sani to testify.

Sani told the court that the accused allegedly gave him a drug identified as Diazepam, which he said had made him lose consciousness before the accident.

The defendant had previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.

After hearing the testimony of the witness, the court acquitted him and adjourned the case to November 19, 2026, for the continuation of the trial.

The three cases are at different stages of the investigation and judicial proceedings. While the Edo suspects are expected to face charges, the two Kano cases are before the courts, where charges will be determined through judicial proceedings.

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