2 men get 5 years each for raping minors

Two men, who raped minors, have been sentenced to five years in prison each by a Minna Magistrate Court without an option of fine “to deter others with similar evil intentions.”

Ayuba Salihu, 32, and Bala Sani, 48, were convicted for having carnal knowledge of two minors at different times and locations.

The police prosecutor attached to the Niger State Child Rights Protection Agency, Abdullahi Maiyaki, one Malama Habiba Abdullahi reported to the agency on August 28 that Salihu, a tailor, resident at New Market, in Minna, lured an eight-year-old girl with N100 and had sex with her on Aug. 31.

He said girl sustained injuries as a result of the act and that the medical expenses incurred by the girl’s parents, were refunded by the agency. He said Salihu confessed to have committed the crime. Also, Sani, a resident of Tayi village in Minna, lured a 10-yearold girl into his room and defiled her severally.

The father of the girl, Malam Usman Suleiman, of the same address, reported the matter to the GRA police station. He said Sani also confessed to have committed the crime. At the hearing of the cases on Sept. 6, the duo pleaded guilty, but Magistrate Hassan Mohammed reserved judgment to Tuesday, Sept. 12. He sentenced the two rapists to five years imprisonment each, without an option of fine “to serve as deterrent to others with similar evil intentions.