Kebbi Police Arrest School Guard for Alleged Defilement of 10-Year-Old Girl

Kebbi Police Arrest School Guard for Alleged Defilement of 10-Year-Old Girl

The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old security guard attached to an Islamiyya school in Jega Local Government Area for allegedly defiling a 10-year-old girl. The Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, disclosed the arrest during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, where he paraded the suspect alongside others arrested for various crimes. The suspect, identified as Faruku Muhammed of Tungar Zabarmawa area in Jega, was arrested following a complaint lodged by the victim’s family. According to police reports, the incident occurred on June 14, 2026, at about 4:30 p.m. when the suspect allegedly lured the girl into his room located within the Islamiyya school premises where he worked as a security guard. The police did not disclose the name of the school involved in the incident.

Reading from the official police report, CP Hadejia detailed the allegations: *“On 14/06/2026 at about 1630hrs one Faruku Muhammed M aged 36yrs of Tungar Zabarmawa area Jega, LGA, lured one Naja’atu Surajo F aged 10yrs of the same address in to his room located inside an Islamiyya School where he works as a Security Guard and had sexual intercourse with her by inserting his finger inside her vagina. Case under investigation and will be prosecuted accordingly.”* The young girl reportedly sustained injuries and was subsequently taken to a medical facility for treatment and evaluation, though the police did not disclose the extent of her injuries or the name of the hospital where she received care.

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CP Hadejia assured the public that the case is under investigation and the suspect will be prosecuted accordingly if found culpable. He reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting children and other vulnerable members of society, urging parents and guardians to promptly report cases of abuse, exploitation, and other crimes affecting minors. The police commissioner also encouraged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies, assuring that reports involving child abuse would receive prompt attention and that all information provided would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

The school guard’s arrest was announced during a press briefing that also covered other security breakthroughs in the state. These included the arrest of four suspected members of the Mamudawa group allegedly involved in supplying logistics to terrorists, as well as the rescue of a kidnapped victim. CP Hadejia used the platform to commend the cooperation of security agencies, vigilante groups, and the Civilian Joint Task Force, describing their collaboration as vital to the ongoing fight against insurgency, banditry, and other violent crimes in the state.

The incident has drawn reactions from parents, education stakeholders, and child protection groups, who have called for a thorough investigation and swift justice for the victim. Advocates have urged authorities to strengthen screening and monitoring processes for non-teaching staff working in schools, stressing the need for stricter background checks and improved child protection measures to ensure the safety of pupils. According to child rights experts, many informal learning centers and community-based educational institutions still operate without comprehensive safeguarding frameworks, leaving children vulnerable to abuse in environments where they are expected to learn and receive moral guidance. Child rights organizations have consistently urged school proprietors, religious institutions, and government authorities to strengthen oversight mechanisms and ensure that anyone working closely with children undergoes proper screening and monitoring, including background checks and regular supervision.

The suspect remains in police custody as investigators prepare the case for possible prosecution. Legal experts suggest that if found guilty, the suspect could face severe penalties under Nigerian law, including life imprisonment, as the country’s child protection laws provide for strict punishment for offenders who commit sexual offenses against minors. Meanwhile, child protection advocates have called on the Kebbi State Government to provide counseling and psychological support for the young victim to help her recover from the traumatic experience, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive care that addresses both the physical and emotional wounds of survivors.