Doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, Ikeja, are battling to save the life of a two-year-old girl, who was raped by a 28-year-old tailor, called Itua, in Oshodi area of Lagos.Mother of the baby, Mrs. Ajibade, was reportedly going out with the baby, but left her to urinate behind their 1, Masako Street residence, only to return to find that her daughter had vanished.
The suspect, a tailor whose shop was located opposite Ajibadeโs home denied seeing the baby, when asked.
However, the toddlerโs mother told Vanguard: โMy baby later came to me crying, pointing at her private part and, at the same time, calling โItua,โ โItuaโ.
โI checked her private part and discovered that her pant was blood-stained. When I asked Itua what he did to my daughter, he said nothing. He admitted that my daughter came to meet him in his shop, but that he drove her out to go and meet me.
โAt that point, I started shouting at the top of my voice, until people gathered. A mob gathered and apprehended him.โ
When Vanguard visited the area yesterday, the suspectโs shop was under lock and key. Other apprentice were said to have fled for fear of being arrested.
A resident, who simply gave his name as Matthew, said: โThis is not the first time. He has been caught several times, but would beg to be freed. This is the first time he has been taken to the police. Policemen from Akinpelu Division took him away.โ
โI only fingered herโ
During interrogation, Itua, an Esan man, from Edo State, said: โI didnโt put my manhood in her. I only fingered her. It was the devilโs handwork.โ
The Child Protection Network Coordinator, Mirabel Centre, at LASUTH, Mr. Ebenezer Omejalile, described the incident as the worst case ever received at the centre.
He said: โThe girl was in a pool of blood, with her private part very expanded. It is not easy patching her up. The girl is still there receiving treatment.โ
Relatives of the suspect appealed to the family of the baby to withdraw the case from the police station, but Vanguard gathered that the Centre refused, saying rape was a case against the government and justice must be done.
Source: Vanguard Newspaper
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