THISDAY

Sodomy: Landlord Arrested for Defiling Tenants' Five Sons

- Stories by Rebecca Ejifoma

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a landlord, one Mr. Trust Ezekiel, 34, for allegedly defiling five sons of different tenants at their Ijanikin residence, THISDAY can exclusivel­y report.

The suspect has for years allegedly molested the children in his compound until the 10- year- old, who had endured the molestatio­n for five years got fed up and opened up to another child.

The alleged paedophile and landlord of no 10 Paul Anyawu Street, Era Ijaniki Lagos, was finally arrested on Friday, October 11, after the 10- year- old let the cat out of the bag.

According to the minor, since age five, the landlord had been sleeping with him through the anus.

Ezekiel, who is married and has two children, both girls, was said to have threatened the survivors that he would kill them if they spoke up.

One of the survivor ’ s, who cried that he didn’t want to die, said, “He always used olive oil to rub my anus then put his manhood inside. I always cry because it is painful."

According to a source in the neighborho­od who spoke to THISDAY on anonymity, this abnormalit­y had been going on for years without any suspicion.

However, the landlord got arrested after the little boy complained to his elder brother and another little neighbour, a boy, who all concurred and echoed that the landlord threatened to kill them if they ever said anything to anyone.

The source said: “In the process of recounting his ordeal, one of the the boy’s mother heard it and questioned them and they confessed.

"That was how the woman became enraged and involved people and the police into the matter."

The suspect, who is currently at the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command, is currently undergoing interrogat­ion.

Confirming the arrest to THISDAY, the state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Chike Oti, said further investigat­ion is ongoing.

Oti confirmed the little boy’s testimony that the landlord had been penetratin­g him through the anus for years now, adding that “the little boy decided to let the cat out of the bag just on Friday after a long time”.

Meanwhile, the state Commission­er of Police, Imohimi Edgal, has warned parents to watch over their children with eagle’s eyes.

He said: “You must watch over these children. They are vulnerable and easy to fall prey.

"Who is your neighbour? Who lives in your neighborho­od. Who does your child move with?”

Edgal however assured Lagosians that the man must face the full wrath of the law on completion of investigat­ion.

Speaking to THISDAY, the Child Protection Network Coordinato­r for Oshodi- Isolo, Mr. Ebenezer Omejalile, said they would act swiftly to ensure the survivors ( all boys) get medical and psychologi­cal help.

He said: “The trauma is what will affect them. They need urgent help. And we will not rest until the perpetrato­r is punished for his heinous crime against these children, their parents and the nation."

 ??  ?? The suspect
The suspect

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