The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a 17-year-old boy, Usman Dauda, over the alleged defilement of a three-year-old girl in Saki, Oyo State.
The command said the suspect was arrested following a distress report lodged at the Saki Divisional Police Station after the child went missing on September 17, 2026.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olayinka Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday, explaining that the report was received at about 6pm after the child reportedly went missing while returning from school.
According to the statement, a search operation was launched, leading to the discovery of the girl by the roadside in a distressed condition.
The police said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspect had allegedly taken the child by force into his apartment, where the alleged offence occurred.
Following the discovery, detectives visited and secured the suspected scene of the crime, leading to Dauda’s arrest and the recovery of physical evidence believed to be connected with the alleged offence.
The command said the child was immediately taken to a medical facility in Saki, where she is receiving medical treatment and psychotherapeutic care.
The police reiterated their commitment to combating child abuse, sexual violence and other offences against women and vulnerable persons, adding that the identity and privacy of the survivor and her family would be protected in line with the Child Rights Act and established protection guidelines.
The case has since been transferred to the Gender Desk of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku, Ibadan, for further investigation and prosecution.
The command urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspected cases of violence or abuse involving children and other vulnerable persons to the nearest police station.