A 9-year-old boy has been arrested in Karfe, Maje District, Suleja Local Government Area, Niger State, for allegedly assaulting a 3-year-old girl.
The accused, a Primary 3 student, and the victim, a pre-nursery pupil, both attend the same private school.
According to activist Comrade Nura Muktar, who is involved in the case through the Human Rights Network in Nigeria, the boy lured the girl into an isolated classroom and assaulted her.
The victim was taken to the hospital after the incident, where she was treated for injuries and stayed for a few days before being discharged.
Muktar also revealed that this was the second time the boy had been accused of such an act. A similar incident occurred in July but was resolved at the family level.
After the latest incident, the girl’s father confronted the school management, and in the heat of the moment, damaged some school equipment. He was later reported to the police and arraigned in court before being granted bail.
The Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the report, stating that the boy confessed to the crime during questioning in the presence of his parents.
The police have recovered evidence, including a pair of pants with suspected blood stains, and investigations are ongoing.
