A 19-year-old man, Bayo, has been arrested for allegedly raping a five-year-old girl, Damola Esther (not her real name), in the Durbar area of Oyo town, Oyo State.
It was gathered that the incident occurred on Monday while the victim was sent on an errand by her mother.
Speaking with our correspondent on Thursday, the victim’s father, Afeez Tiamiyu, alleged that Bayo, the son of a serving police officer in Ibadan, sexually assaulted his daughter while she was on her way to purchase a recharge card.
Tiamiyu explained that he was at work when his wife called to inform him of the incident, prompting him to rush home.
“I was at work when my wife called to tell me that my daughter had been raped by one Bayo, who lives in our area.
“I quickly rushed home to know what was happening, and on getting home, we found traces of semen and bruises on the girl’s body. We asked her if she could identify who did that to her, and she said yes.
“We took her to the scene, and on our way, she identified the boy, after which he was arrested and taken to the Police Area Command, Durbar, Oyo,” Tiamiyu narrated.
However, the family alleged that the matter took a different turn at the police station after discovering that the suspect’s father was a police officer.
Tiamiyu alleged that some officers on duty attempted to persuade the family to drop the case.
“Upon getting to the police station, we found out that the suspect’s father is also a police officer.
“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.
“Immediately we noticed what they were planning, we involved human rights groups, and they promised to take up the matter,” he stated.
Meanwhile, a medical examination conducted on the victim at the State Hospital, Oyo, indicated that she sustained injuries consistent with sexual assault.
According to the medical report obtained by Saturday PUNCH dated October 5, 2026, and signed by Dr Adeniyi of the state hospital, the victim suffered injuries to her vulva and labia minora, accompanied by severe pain.
When contacted the Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident, stating that an investigation was underway.
“The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for investigation,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Taawunu Human Rights Initiative has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, and the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, demanding an independent investigation into the case.
In the petition dated October 6, 2026, signed by the organization’s Director-General, Sulaimon Tadese, the group called for the investigation and prosecution of any police officer attempting to compromise the case.
The organization also demanded immediate justice for the five-year-old victim.
Credit: punchng.com
