The police have arrested a 39-year-old man accused of r3ping his neighbour’s 15-year-old niece in Lagos State.
The man identified as Uche, reportedly forced himself on the teenage girl while holding a cutlass.
The victim’s mother, Mrs Sharon Jonathan, said the girl left their residence on Monday, August 25, 2025, in Ojukwu Lane, Olodi-Apapa, to visit her aunt at 11 College Road, Olodi-Apapa, and returned home on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
The young girl thereafter became mentally unstable. She is currently undergoing treatment at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in Idi-Araba, Surulere, Lagos.
“She went to her sister’s place because I was not around, and she returned home the next day unusually quiet. I took her to the hospital, and the result showed she had 1+ malaria and 1+ typhoid,” she said.
“The doctor told me that the result was not enough to explain her behaviour. I was advised to make her watch a movie that could brighten her mood. Later, she told me that Uncle Uche had tortured and s3xually assaulted her.
“I called a pastor who is a family friend and he advised me to take her to the hospital for a test to determine if the guy penetrated. We went to the hospital, but she was revolting, and the doctor couldn’t attend to us, referring us to LUTH, Idi-Araba, Lagos.
“The doctor confirmed penetration, and Uche was arrested by the Tolu Police Post, Apapa, with the case transferred to the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja.
Mrs Jonathan called for justice to be served and the perpetrator to be brought to book.
“The life of my child is still hanging in the balance; I don’t want the case buried through the backdoor,” she added.
The acting Police Public Relations Officer for the Lagos State Police Command, Babaseyi Oluseyi, confirmed the arrest.
“The case was transferred to the Gender unit on September 4, 2025, and the suspect is in custody while the investigation is ongoing. Kindly note that the OC Gender is not a person to be compromised,” he said.
Speaking with The Guardian, the Officer Commanding (OC) Gender, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Toyin Kazeem, said, “The suspect is in custody, investigation is ongoing, and he will be charged in court appropriately. Lagosians will be assured of justice and transparency.”
