Two men have been arraigned before a senior magistrate’s court in Minna, Niger State, for allegedly gang-raping a 13-year-old girl. The defendants, Awal Bala, 40, and Danjuma Ibrahim, 43, also known as DJ, face charges of receiving stolen property and unlawful sexual intercourse with a child.
Allegations and Arrest
According to the prosecution, the two men, who reside at the same address, lured the teenager into their residence with a stolen chicken. Prosecuting counsel Zubairu Wuna told the court that police investigations established that the defendants used the stolen chicken to entice the girl into their house, where the alleged sexual assault took place. The offences are punishable under Section 316 of the Niger State Penal Code Law 2025 and Section 26(2) of the Niger State Child Rights and Protection Law 2021, as amended.
Court Proceedings
When the charges were read before Senior Magistrate Ummi Imam, both defendants pleaded not guilty. Defence counsel Jerry Ekeh made an oral application for bail, arguing that his clients were presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, the prosecution opposed the application, noting that one of the offences was capital in nature. In her ruling, Magistrate Imam refused the bail application, stating: “In view of the capital nature of one of the charges against the defendants, the bail application is hereby refused.” The court ordered that the defendants be remanded in correctional custody and adjourned the case until 19 August for definite hearing.
Recurring Cases in Niger State
This case comes barely two months after a senior magistrate’s court in Minna sentenced four men to a combined 95 years in prison for gang-raping and impregnating a 13-year-old girl in Kontagora, Niger State. The convicts—Salisu Baura, Lawali Sha’ibu, Haruna Sa’idu, and Bello—were convicted of joint act and unlawful sexual intercourse with a child. The court described their conduct as “animalistic, inhuman, and heartless.” The girl was reportedly subjected to sexual abuse in 2023, resulting in her pregnancy. The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Kontagora.
In another reported incident, PREMIUM TIMES reported in November 2025 that three suspected terrorists allegedly raped a 13-year-old girl in Kudodo community, Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State. The girl was reportedly returning from Galadima Kogo market when the incident occurred and was subsequently hospitalised.
Concerns Over Child Protection
The recurring cases have continued to raise concerns about the protection of children and the need for stronger enforcement of child-protection laws in Niger State. The court’s decision to remand the defendants and the adjourned hearing on 19 August mark the next steps in the judicial process.
