Rapists, Ritualists On Rampage In Nasarawa, Defile Six Newborns
BY AHMED TUKUR, LAFIA – In what is fast becoming an unchecked criminal venture, no fewer than six new born babies have recently been defiled in Adogi area of Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital.
The newborns, mostly between the ages of three (3) and six (6) months were taken away at night, defiled and dumped in a particular Government ‘Pilot Primary School’ located a few meters outside the community.
Our correspondent, who visited the community to confirm the reported defiling of a three month old baby, learnt that there was also an attempt on a two-month old baby just a day after the latest incident while six others were abused before the recent case.
Findings revealed that the community has suffered several ills as most kidnappers and armed robbery live in the area while ritualists that play host to clients outside the state are also residing within the area.
Competent sources alleged that there are syndicate of locals that specialize in going round the community to source for new babies that are eventually used for ritual purposes.
According to our sources, these syndicates work for suspected ritualists that are always willing and ready to pay handsomely for these newborns and thereafter use them to complete so-called assignments in their ritual circles.
Some of the locals, who volunteered information to Forefront, said rape cases have become rampant in the community because stakeholders do not support proper investigations and possible arrest of criminals operating in the area.
“Angwan Yashi and Angwan Waje are worst hit. In fact, in some families, two or more infants have been defiled and yet, nothing happened”, said one of the sources, who refused to have his name in print for fear of a backlash.
Forefront also observed that most parents, whose children have been raped, do not show the expected worries as they openly discussed the incident without making required efforts at seeking justice for the victims.
Most disturbing is the fact that no arrest has been made so far, while there seems to be a preponderance of cases where some parents are involved in a conspiracy of silence having their babies defiled and settling for payment of so-called damages to treat the victims.
The youth leader in the area, Isah Musa told our correspondent that regrettably, most parents seem reluctant to report the criminal incidents to security agencies but
rather rush quietly to the hospitals for treatment.
Wife of the Lafia Local government Council chairman, Zainab Aminu Maifatu, who confirmed the defilement of six other new born babies before the latest incident, assured that full investigation will be launched to arrest the culprits.
It could be recalled that the three-month-old baby was defiled in Adogi village of Nasarawa State
The incident occurred on Wednesday, April 27, 2020, which drew the irk of several stakeholders and government agencies.
