By Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna

The Niger State Government has described the conviction and sentencing of three men for the rape of a minor in Kontagora Local Government Area as a major breakthrough in its fight against rape, child abuse, and other forms of sexual violence in the state.

The Minna Senior Magistrate Court Four on Friday convicted and sentenced four men to a total of ninety five years behind correctional centre for gang raping a thirteen years old girl in Kontagora some times in 2023.

Senior Magistrate Christy Umar Barau while passing her judgement described the act of the convicts as animalistic and heartless that doesn’t deserve the mercy of the court.

She held that the act of the four convicts have put the teenager in a family way which has permanently traumatized her forever “ the offence of joint act and unlawful sexual intercourse with a child attract life jail.

The court will be considerate as a result of the plea of the defense counsel that said they have shown remorse throughout their trial in court.

“But the case of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor is a serious in nature and the cases of rape is on the increase in the state.

“ However,in view of the plea for leniency by the counsel, the court would not be seen as being fair if appropriate punishment is not meted to the convicts.

“ The first, second and the third defendants are hereby convicted to twenty five years behind the correctional centre for the offence of joint act and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor with the payment of one million naira compensation to the teenager” Senior Magistrate Christy Umar Barau held.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Services, Hajiya Hadiza Idris Kuta, made this known while reacting to the court judgment, describing it as a victory for justice and a strong warning to perpetrators of sexual offences.

Hajiya Hadiza Kuta who was at the court during the judgement saluted the courage of the senior Magistrate saying that she was impressed by the judgement of the court.

She commended the trial senior Magistrate for the judgment, expressing hope that more convictions of sexual offenders would follow.

According to her, the ministry is encouraged by the verdict and remains committed to ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.

Hajiya Hadiza noted that punishment serves as a deterrent to criminal behaviour, stressing that the conviction sends a clear message to those involved in child molestation and other forms of sexual abuse that such crimes will no longer be tolerated.

She said the three convicts were each sentenced to 25 years imprisonment and ordered to pay ₦1 million compensation to the victim, describing the judgment as a positive step towards protecting children and vulnerable persons in the state.

The commissioner lamented that, in the past, many suspects accused of similar offences were granted bail or escaped adequate punishment, but expressed optimism that the latest judgment would encourage more victims to seek justice.

She reaffirmed the state’s determination to pursue cases of rape and child abuse to their logical conclusion, assuring residents that the government would continue to protect the rights and dignity of children.

Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the defendants, Barrister M. J. Lemu, commended the court for what he described as a balanced and fair decision.

He explained that the offences for which the defendants were convicted ordinarily attract life imprisonment under the law. However, he said the court exercised its discretion by tempering justice with mercy in imposing a 25-year jail term.

Barrister Lemu stated that he had no intention of appealing the judgment, noting that there were no sufficient legal grounds to challenge the court’s decision.

He also praised the judge for the wisdom displayed in handling the case and prayed for greater knowledge and strength for the judiciary in dispensing justice.

Similarly, counsel to the complainant Mohammed Ibrahim Esq.commended the judgment, saying it would serve as a strong deterrent to others involved in rape, child molestation and related offences.

The three convicts Salisu Shehu, Lawali Sabi’u and Haruna Musa, all from Kontagora Local Government Area—were each sentenced to 25 years imprisonment and ordered to pay ₦1 million compensation to the victim.

The judgment has been widely welcomed as a significant milestone in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence in Niger State.

By David Owei, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa state command of Nigeria,s anti – narcotic agency,the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says it has intercepted 477.668 kilograms
of various illicit hard drugs within one year and arrested 620 suspects.

The state Commander and Controller of Narcotics,CN Kanu S Chukuemeka stated this at a media parley with journalists during 2026 World Day against Drug Abuse and illicit trafficking in Yenagoa,the state capital.

The theme of this year celebration is “World Drug Problems ,Resisting Issues with new challenges” ,saying that the theme aptly reflects the operational realities we have encountered within one year in Bayelsa state.

According to him,the command under the period under review ,has recorded the arrest of 429 male suspects and 191 female suspects totalling 620 and this statistics indicate that while drug abuse affect both genders ,young men unequally represented.

He further posited that the agency had made seizure on drugs ,such as psychotropic substances which consists of 52,740 tablets and capsules ,injectable substances 1,152 ampoules ,codeine based cough syrups 208 bottles.Canabis sativa infused with alcohol known as koskorin or monkey tail 437.203 litres.
Hence the total weight of all narcotics and psychotropic substances seizure with in the period is 477.668 kilograms.

“The command has also treated and rehabilitated ,after drug test 591 persons and 29 clients admitted in our facility.While our efforts to cut down the supply of drugs we have to priotize prosecution of offenders and we have 18 cases,conviction secured 17,ongoing cases 62”

He however disclosed that the abuse of psychotropic substances and cannabis infused concortion continued to be prevalent among the aged 21 – 25 and sensitization has been intensified in secondary schools across the state.
He used the opportunity to appreciate the chairman and chief executive officer of NDLEA ,Brig – General Muhammad Buba Marwa rtd,for his visionary leadership and transformative policies of the agency and the Bayelsa state governor,senator Douye Diri who has not relented in supporting the command whenever we approach him.

The Bayelsa state command of Nigeria,s anti – narcotic agency,the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, says it has intercepted 477.668 kilograms
of various illicit hard drugs within one year.

The state Commander and Controller of Narcotics,CN Kanu S Chukuemeka stated this at a media parley with journalists during 2026 World Day against Drug Abuse and illicit trafficking in Yenagoa,the state capital.

The theme of this year celebration is “World Drug Problems ,Resisting Issues with new challenges” ,saying that the theme aptly reflects the operational realities we have encountered within one year in Bayelsa state.

According to him,the command under the period under review ,has recorded the arrest of 429 male suspects and 191 female suspects totalling 620 and this statistics indicate that while drug abuse affect both genders ,young men unequally represented.

He further posited that the agency had made seizure on drugs ,such as psychotropic substances which consists of 52,740 tablets and capsules ,injectable substances 1,152 ampoules ,codeine based cough syrups 208 bottles.Canabis sativa infused with alcohol known as koskorin or monkey tail 437.203 litres.
Hence the total weight of all narcotics and psychotropic substances seizure with in the period is 477.668 kilograms.

“The command has also treated and rehabilitated ,after drug test 591 persons and 29 clients admitted in our facility.While our efforts to cut down the supply of drugs we have to priotize prosecution of offenders and we have 18 cases,conviction secured 17,ongoing cases 62”

He however disclosed that the abuse of psychotropic substances and cannabis infused concortion continued to be prevalent among the aged 21 – 25 and sensitization has been intensified in secondary schools across the state.
He used the opportunity to appreciate the chairman and chief executive officer of NDLEA ,Brig – General Muhammad Buba Marwa rtd,for his visionary leadership and transformative policies of the agency and the Bayelsa state governor,senator Douye Diri who has not relented in supporting the command whenever we approach him.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer,Minna

Four rapists are to spend the next ninety five years behind the Correctional custodial Centre after they were found guilty of gang-raping a thirteen years old girl and impregnated her by a Minna Senior Magistrate Court number four old Secretariat.

The convicts were arrested by men of the Kontagora Divisional Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),and brought to the State Command headquarters for full prosecution.

The presiding Senior Magistrate,Christy Umar Barau,who handed down the judgement described the act of the convicts as animalistic and heartless.

She held that the convicts were some times in 2023,arraigned by men of the Niger State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for gang- raping a thirteen years old girl in Kontagora Niger State.

They were said to have taken turn by turn to rape her under threat after which they gave her N1,400.

According to the First Information Report (FIR), made available in court and obtained by journalists,they were arraigned on count charges of joint act and unlawful sexual intercourse with a child,punishable under section 97 of the penal code law,and section 26 (1) of the Child Right law of Niger State 23.

The convicts include,Salisu Shehu Baura,Lawali Shaibu, Haruna Musa Saidu and Bello all of Kontagora town in Niger State,who was granted bail and now at large was convicted in absential.

Senior Magistrate Christy Barau in her judgement held that the four convicts had earlier admitted their offence during their trial but as a result of the gravity of the charges brought against them,” the court entered no plea of guilty and full trial into their has to commence.

This according to her is to enable the prosecution to prove his case against them with all the evidences and witnesses before the court “to enable the court give them the deserving punishment”

During the trial,the Prosecutor called three witnesses which include the victim herself, her Father,and the investigative Civil Defence who investigated the case and five exhibits were tendered.

Among the evidence, the senior Magistrate,disclosed include the video recorded statement of the convicts,their written statement, the statement of the victim,the medical report of the penetration and the voice record of the convicts.

With all the evidence and the testimonies of admittances of the convicts the prosecutor closed his case while the convicts could not enter their defences.

At this point,the presiding Senior Magistrate,said,the prosecutor has proved his case of joint act and unlawful sexual intercourse with a child contrary to section 97 of the penal code and section 26 (1) of the child Right law of Niger State against the convicts.

The defence counsel Mohammed Jibrin Lemu Esq,pleaded behalf of the convicts for the Senior Magistrate to temper justice with Mercy as the convicts have shown remorse throughout their trial in court.

While passing her judgement,Christy Umar Barau noted that “ the convicts really showed remorse throughout the trial and their family needed most and that does not mean they should not go unpunished.

“ The case of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child is a serious case and the case of rape is on the increase.

“ The act of these convicts is animalistic and inhuman and heartless. The court will be not fair to the victim if appropriate punishment is not served on them to serve as a deterrent to others

“ The first,the second and the third convicts are hereby convicted and sentenced to twenty years behind the correctional Custody for the offence of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child and five years for the offence of joint act,while the fourth convict now at large is to serve twenty years for the offence of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child” she ruled.

She awarded the sum of one million naira to be paid as compensation to the victim by the convict to cushion the psychological trauma she suffered.