Officers of the Lagos State Police Command have apprehended two individuals, Augustine Udeh and Adepoju Moses, for allegedly raping two young people in different areas of the state.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, revealed this in a statement on Saturday.
Adejobi stated that Udeh was taken into custody in the Surulere area of the state after a report from Nene Badmus, who informed the police that her daughter had disclosed that Udeh allegedly raped her. This came after Badmus found her daughter crying by the roadside.
With the information provided by Badmus, the police acted quickly and arrested the suspect.
Adejobi mentioned, “On the 12th of March 2024, around 10:30pm, One Nene Badmus ‘f’ reported at the Surulere Divisional Headquarters, Lagos State that on the same day, around 7 pm, she had found her daughter, name withheld, 16yrs, lying down by the roadside crying and complaining of abdominal pain while bleeding.
“She questioned her, and the daughter revealed that one Augustine Udeh ‘m’, 33 years defiled her by having unlawful sexual intercourse with her. A team of detectives from the division took the victim to a medical centre for examination and eventually apprehended the suspect.”
Providing details of Moses’ arrest, Adejobi disclosed that Moses had reported a suspected case of rape to the police on February 23, which led to the arrest of a suspect.
However, the police, after conducting an investigation, found that the complainant was the one who had allegedly committed the act and had instructed the victim, a 13-year-old orphan, to falsely accuse the initial suspect.
“In a similar incident, on February 23, 2024, at about 11.50 pm, one Adepoju Ifedayo Moses ‘m’ 42yrs reported at Ifako Gbagada Divisional Headquarters, Lagos that at about 9 pm of the same day, he had sent his younger sister, name withheld, 13 yrs, who is an orphan, on an errand but she was accosted by one man, 38yrs, who lured her into his room and defiled her. A team of detectives from the division moved to the scene, rescued the victim, and arrested the suspect.
“Thorough investigation later revealed that it was the same complainant, Adepoju Ifedayo, who is an uncle to the victim, was the one who had actually defiled the victim earlier that day but instructed the victim to lie against the initial suspect,” the FPRO said.
Adejobi added that after a search of Moses’ house, two locally made pistols and three expended cartridges were recovered.
Emphasizing the position of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Adejobi noted that those who commit sexual offenses would be held accountable by the law for their actions.
“We must educate the populace about consent, respect, and healthy relationships. By promoting a culture of respect, dignity, and equality, we can prevent instances of rape and defilement from occurring.
“Putting an end to rape and defilement requires a joint effort from all areas of society. It demands us to speak out against injustice, support and safeguard survivors, and work towards a future where every person is free from the threat of sexual harassment and violence,” Adejobi stated.
