OYO, Nigeria — Police have arrested a 19-year-old man accused of raping a five-year-old girl in Oyo State, amid allegations that officers attempted to persuade the child’s family to abandon the complaint because the suspect’s father serves in the police force.
The suspect, identified only as Bayo, was taken into custody following an incident in the Durbar area of Oyo town on Monday, October 5, 2026.
Olayinka Ayanlade, spokesman for the Oyo State Police Command, confirmed the arrest and said investigators had taken over the case.
“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for investigation,” Ayanlade said.
The girl’s father alleged that the suspect assaulted his daughter while she was carrying out an errand for her mother.
According to his account, the child was on her way to purchase a mobile telephone recharge card when the incident occurred.
The father said his wife telephoned him at work to report the alleged assault, prompting him to return home.
He said the family discovered injuries on the girl’s body and questioned her about what had happened.
The child subsequently identified the alleged attacker, leading to his arrest and transfer to the Durbar Police Area Command.
A medical examination at the State Hospital in Oyo documented injuries consistent with sexual assault, according to a report obtained by Saturday Punch.
Family Alleges Pressure to Withdraw Complaint
The girl’s father accused some officers at the police station of attempting to discourage the family from pursuing the case after learning that the suspect was the son of a serving police officer based in Ibadan.
He said the officers’ conduct raised concerns about whether the complaint would be investigated impartially.
“Upon getting to the police station, we found out that the suspect’s father is also a police officer,” he told Saturday Punch.
“Due to this, we noticed some of the police officers on duty that day were trying to persuade us not to pursue the case, but we insisted because no one is above the law.”
The family subsequently contacted human rights organisations for assistance.
The father said the intervention became necessary after the family grew concerned that the police might not proceed with the complaint.
The allegations of interference have not been independently established, and the police have not publicly addressed the specific claims against the officers involved.
Rights Group Petitions Police Leadership
The Ta’awunu Human Rights Initiative (THURIST) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, demanding an independent investigation.
The petition, signed by the organisation’s director-general, Sulaimon Tadese, also raised concerns that the matter could be resolved privately because of the suspect’s family connections.
The organisation urged the police to preserve relevant evidence, protect the child and her family, and investigate allegations that officers had attempted to obstruct the case.
“The fact that the suspect is reportedly the son of a serving police officer must not confer upon him any immunity from investigation or prosecution,” the group said in a statement.
The organisation also called on the Police Service Commission to investigate any officer found to have attempted to suppress the complaint or intimidate the family.
It said any decision to prosecute the suspect should follow a lawful investigation supported by sufficient evidence.
The group further urged the authorities to ensure that the child’s welfare remained central to the investigation.
Police Continue Investigation
The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed that the case is under investigation but has not disclosed whether formal charges have been filed against the suspect.
It has also not announced whether any officers are being investigated over the family’s allegations of interference.
The suspect has not been convicted of any offence, and the allegations against him remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.
