The alleged rapist identified as Bassey Johnson, who is an apprentice in a trader’s shop, was said to have raped his little victim while she and her elder brother Wareed, came to watch TV in Johnson’s house.
Johnson who is 4-year-old Fatima’s neighbour (not real name) in the Idimu area of Lagos, had allowed them into his house around 9am on Sunday morning, and had raped the little girl while Wareed slept off.
According to a neighbour identified as Adeyinka, the rape was discovered after Fatima’s mother noticed her little girl couldn’t stop touching her private part.
Here’s what Adeyinka said below:
“Bass (Johnson) is very close to the girl’s family. They are neighbours and the children usually went to watch TV in his room. On that Sunday, the girl and her brother went into Bass’ room and while they were watching TV, the brother slept off. Bass thereafter raped the girl. The brother was sleeping in the room while Bass, who could not control his urge, raped the girl.
After the girl came out of the room, the mother noticed that she kept crying and was scratching her private parts. When the mother checked Fatima’s private parts, she saw bloodstains and semen. When she confronted the perpetrator, the man confessed to the crime. That was how the matter got to the police.”
Johnson was arrested and taken to the Idimu police station, where the Lagos state Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) coordinator Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, waded into the matter.
When contacted, Adeniyi confirmed that Fatima had been checked out at a hospital. Here’s what she said:
“The girl was taken to Rauf Aregbesola Primary Health Centre, where she was given post-exposure prophylaxis for free. The semen of the suspect was still in her pants as of the time of the treatment. The suspect ran away initially, but the girl’s father was able to arrest him through one of their neighbours.
“The matter was reported to us on Monday, and we are going to follow up on the prosecution. The girl has been treated. The DPP has also requested the duplicate case file.”
Confirming the arrest, Lagos state PPRO SP Dolapo Badmos, said the case has been transferred to the state CID in Yaba. She said:
“The state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, has directed that the case be transferred to the SCIID.”