Islamic Cleric Defiles 5-year-old Pupil

Matilda Omonaiye/

Police have arrested a 43-year-old Islamic Cleric, Abdulsalam Salaudeen, for allegedly defiling a five-year-old girl he was engaged to teach.

Salaudeen, who lives at 16, Awoyemi Street on Igando Road, Ikotun Lagos, was recorded on video penetrating the victim’s anus and private parts.

The police say in a statement that a Good Samaritan presented the video evidence to the Commissioner of Police (CP), Imohimi Edgal, at his office in Ikeja on Friday.

After watching the video, Edgal directed the undercover operatives attached to the State Intelligence Bureau to immediately arrest the culprit and hand him over to the Gender Section for detailed investigation, the statement says.

The statement signed by the police spokesman, CSP Chike Oti, says Salaudeen was arrested near a mosque in Igando, a suburb of Lagos and taken to the Gender Unit, where he was confronted with the video evidence.

“On seeing himself captured like an actor in a movie, the suspect broke down in tears and owned up to the crime,” Oti stated.

The case, according to him, would be charged to court as soon as the investigation is concluded.

Oti further stated: “The CP, while commending the courageous act of the good Nigerian, warned parents and guardians to keep constant watch over their children and wards.

“Nobody should be trusted. Be friends with your children and let them be free to share things with you.

“Do not cover up any crime, no matter who is involved. Raise the alarm on child molesters in your neighbourhood so they can face the law and other nursing such thoughts can be deterred.”