Minna Man Gets 13-Year Jail, 20 Strokes for Defiling Minor

Minna man jailed 13 years with public flogging for defiling 10-year-old girl as Niger State warns child abusers.

A court in Minna, Niger State, has sentenced a man to 13 years in prison for defiling his neighbour's 10-year-old daughter.

The convict, Aliyu Bala, who lives in Minna, was also ordered to receive 20 strokes of the cane and pay N250,000 as compensation to the victim.

The judgment was delivered after the court found him guilty of sexually abusing the minor.

Shortly after the judgment, officials took Bala to the palace of the District Head of Bosso. The 20 strokes were carried out there in public.

Community members were present to witness the enforcement of the corporal punishment.

Reacting to the development, the Director-General of the Niger State Child Rights Agency, Ummul-Kalthume Muhammad, described the verdict as historic.

She said it shows the clear determination of the Niger State Government to protect children and ensure offenders face justice.

According to her, the public enforcement was deliberate. It was meant to send a strong message to anyone who thinks they can abuse a child and go free.

Muhammad also called on communities to stop covering up for abusers. She urged parents and neighbours to speak up and report cases instead of shielding perpetrators.

A representative of the Niger State Ministry of Justice, identified as Shafa, also spoke on the judgment.

She described it as a major step that could set a precedent for similar cases in the state.

She appealed to the public not to hide cases of child sexual abuse. Reporting, she said, is the only way to stop offenders.

Shafa revealed that the victim's mother had initially considered withdrawing the case. She later changed her mind after she was counselled on the need to get justice for her daughter.

The District Head of Bosso, Muazu Adamu Laka, said he had never seen such a punishment enforced publicly in his domain.

He said he was satisfied with the process. According to him, the action will help people in the community understand how serious child defilement is.

He added that it will serve as a deterrent to others who may have such intentions.

Meanwhile, the Niger State Child Rights Agency has urged residents to report any suspected case of child abuse to its office or to the nearest police station for prompt action.