Police Arrest ASP For Raping 17-Year-Old Girl In Lagos
The Lagos State Police Command said it has detained one of its officers, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), for allegedly defiling a 17-year old girl at the Ojota Police Station in Lagos.
The officer, simply identified as Owolabi, allegedly had carnal knowledge of the girl in his office at Area H Command in the Ogudu area of the state
Owolabi’s arrest followed a referral letter dated July 1, 2024, and addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency.
Based on the referral letter, the Commissioner of Police ordered for immediate investigation into the matter.
Confirming the arrest, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the Command has placed under arrest one of its personnel accused of defiling a 17-year old girl.
Hundeyin wrote in on his X handle that the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, has also, directed a full-scale and thorough investigation into the allegation.
The Police Spokesperson further said; “The Command assures the public that there is absolutely no attempt at a cover-up as such hideous acts are at variance with the code of conduct and professional ethics of the Nigeria Police Force.
“To this end, CP Fayoade once again assures Nigerians that the officer would be dealt with in accordance with police regulations and the law if found culpable”.
The victim’s mother, Mrs Aramide Olupona, who had accused the Police of cover up, alleged that her daughter began bleeding a day following the assault she suffered in the hands of the officer.
According to Mrs Olupona, her daughter was later taken to the Mirabel Centre, where it was confirmed that she had been defiled.
She further stated that; “The suspect’s wife and the rest of his family have come to my shop to plead with me saying he would soon retire, but what about my daughter that was raped? Is it because I am a poor woman?
“The Area Commander of the station too invited me and pleaded with me to bury the case, now they are saying the suspect has fled and his whereabouts are unknown”.
Meanwhile, denying allegations that the police authority was shielding the suspected rapist, Police Command Spokesperson Hundeyin explained that the officer in question had allegedly absconded after the incident but later turned himself in on Saturday for questioning.
Hundeyin assured the public that the matter was not being swept under carpet, adding that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, had ordered the Gender Unit of the command to immediately investigate the case.”
“The case is under full investigation. There is no plan to cover up the allegation,” he said.
It was gathered that a 17-year-old girl had reported a case of rape against a senior officer attached to Area H Command Ogudu, Ojota area, to her parents.
The girl had sought the officer’s help to recover her stolen phone, which led to the alleged sexual assault. The officer had offered to assist her after taking her statement, but instead, allegedly raped her.
