The Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has arrested two Islamic clerics over the alleged brutalisation of two minors in Owo, the headquarters of Owo Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, identified as Adebodun Muideen, 30, of Al-Balaagul-Mubeen Arabic and Islamic Centre, and Oladejo Musiliu, 35, of Abdullah Arabic and Islamic Centre, were apprehended following a complaint bordering on child abuse.
The NSCDC said the arrest followed a report by a child rights advocacy group, the Kids and Teens Resource Centre, which was alerted by the class teacher of the victims after noticing injuries on their bodies.
Preliminary findings revealed that the affected children, whose parents reside in Osun State, were placed under the care of the clerics to study the Qur’an and Islamic teachings while also attending conventional schools.
Trouble reportedly started after one of the minors returned with an Android mobile phone he could not satisfactorily explain its source.
During questioning, the second child was allegedly implicated.
The Corps alleged that the clerics, in an attempt to discipline the children, subjected them to severe punishment that resulted in injuries, an action described as a violation of the Child Rights Act and the Ondo State Child Protection Law.
The suspects were said to have made confessional statements and would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations for offences related to assault and child abuse.
Reacting to the development, the Ondo State Commandant of the NSCDC, Oluyemi Joshua Ibiloye, warned religious institutions, parents and guardians against unlawful forms of discipline, stressing that violence against children constitutes a criminal offence under Nigerian law.
He commended the prompt intervention of the Kids and Teens Resource Centre and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report cases of child abuse to relevant security agencies.