A senior magistrate court in Minna has sentenced four men to a combined 95 years in correctional custody for the gang-rape of a 13-year-old girl in Kontagora, an incident that left the minor pregnant.
The convicts, Salisu Baura, Lawali Sha’ibu, Haruna Sa’idu, and Bello (surname not provided), all of Kontagora town in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State, were convicted on charges of joint act and unlawful sexual intercourse with a child.
Delivering judgement on Thursday, Senior Magistrate Christy Barau described the crime as “animalistic, inhuman, and heartless,” noting the rising incidence of rape cases, particularly against minors, across the state and country.
She said the court could not afford to be lenient, as the punishment must serve as a deterrent to others.
The men were arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kontagora Divisional Command, and subsequently transferred to the state command headquarters for prosecution.
According to court proceedings, the convicts took turns raping the 13-year-old victim in 2023. They allegedly gave her N1,400 afterwards. The girl later became pregnant as a result of the assault.
They were arraigned on two counts: joint act punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law, and unlawful sexual intercourse with a child under Section 26(1) of the Child Rights Law of Niger State, 2023.
The presiding magistrate noted that the convicts initially admitted the offence but, given the gravity of the charges, the court entered no plea of guilty and proceeded to full trial.
The prosecution called three witnesses the victim, her father, and the investigating NSCDC officer and tendered five exhibits, including video and written statements of the convicts, the victim’s statement, a medical report confirming penetration, and voice recordings.
The convicts failed to enter a defence after the prosecution closed its case.
Defence counsel Mohammed Jibrin Lemu pleaded for mercy, citing the remorse shown by the accused throughout the trial.
In her ruling, Mrs Barau acknowledged the remorse but maintained that it could not absolve them of punishment for such a grave offence.
She sentenced the first, second, and third convicts to 20 years imprisonment each for unlawful sexual intercourse with a child and five years each for joint act.
The fourth convict, Bello, who was granted bail but is now at large, was convicted in absentia and sentenced to 20 years for unlawful sexual intercourse with a child.
The sentences are to run concurrently where applicable, resulting in a combined total of 95 years.
Child rape in Niger State
This conviction comes amid growing concerns over the prevalence of sexual violence against children in Niger State.
In February 2026, the police arrested 10 suspects for the rape and sexual assault of minors across various parts of the state, including Kontagora.
READ ALSO:Niger Governor Bago appoints Abubakar Kuso as Niger Tornadoes chairman
Victims in those cases included children as young as three years old, with some incidents involving unnatural offences against boys.
Reports have highlighted cases of very young girls being defiled, sometimes abandoned after assault, and instances where perpetrators include individuals expected to protect children.
Advocacy groups and officials have repeatedly called for stricter enforcement of child rights laws and faster prosecution of sexual offenders.
Nationally, child rape remains under-reported due to stigma, family pressure, and weak institutional responses, even as high-profile cases continue to emerge.
Legal experts have long criticised the slow pace of justice and light sentences in some sexual offence cases, which often embolden perpetrators.
The latest sentences in Minna are being viewed by observers as a strong signal from the judiciary in Niger State that such heinous crimes against minors will attract severe punishment.
