Man rapes schoolgirl to death in Ogun

THE RIVER

Firstclass newsline learnt that the Ogun State Police Command has
arrested an unemployed man, Ishau Arowolo, for allegedly raping a
10-year-old girl, Sofiatu Akilolu, to death in Orisada-Eyo Community
in the Yewa South Local Government Area of the state.
Firstclass newsline learnt that 25-year-old Arowolo, after raping the
girl, allegedly caused her to drown.
It was said that the suspect lurked in a bush near the community river
to perpetrate the act.
Firstclass newsline learnt that Sofiatu, who was a Basic five pupil
of the Local Government Authority Primary School, had been sent by her
parents to a river in the area to fetch water when she was attacked
and raped by Arowolo.
Firstclass newsline gathered that Sofiatu, at about 5pm on Wednesday,
April 1, went to the stream in company with a friend, identified
simply as Abibatu. It was gathered that Arowolo snatched the victim
and took her under a tree, where he raped her.
A resident, who identified himself only as Jamiu, told firstclass
newsline on Tuesday that Abibatu alerted the community that Sofiatu
was being raped in a bush.
He said, "The river is called Agude. It serves the community. That was
not the first time little girls would go to fetch water at the place.
On that day, the two girls met Ishau (Arowolo) and greeted him.
"Later, they observed he was coming behind them. Suddenly, he grabbed
Sofiatu and entered into a bush to carry out the act. The other girl
ran back to the community to tell us.
"When we got to the place, we did not find both of them, except their
clothes and shoes. We began to comb the forest, until someone raised
the alarm that Arowolo was hiding in the river. When we checked, he
was found and pulled out.
"Minutes later, we also found Sofiatu. He might have drowned the girl
after he raped her. She was unconscious, while blood was dripping from
her private parts."
Firstclass newsline gathered that Sofiatu was taken out of the river
and rushed to a nearby hospital, where she was confirmed dead.
Angry youths, who learnt of the girl's death, reportedly beat up
Arowolo, but they were said to have been prevented from lynching him
by elders.
TheBaaleof the community, Chief Adeogun Hussein, who spoke in Yoruba,
told a source that such incident was strange in the area.
He said, "This occurrence is very strange in our area. It is
unfortunate that someone would conceive such evil. The river, where
the rapist hid, is very popular. We usually wash and bathe there. The
river is also believed to have power to cure sicknesses.
"The advice I have for parents is to take more care of their children,
and anyone found committing such tragic act should also be ready to
face terrible consequences."
It was learnt that the matter was reported to the Owode Police Division.
Efforts by firstclass newsline to speak with Sofiatu's parents were
not successful as of the time of the report, as they were said to have
moved out of the area.
Firstclass newsline learnt that Sofiatu was buried the following day
after the incident according to the Islamic rites.
The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi,
confirmed the incident. He added that the police had charged the
suspect to court.
He said, "The suspect has been transferred from Owode to the state
police headquarters, Eleweran. We have also charged him to court.
"But the mother of the victim has come to the police to say she is no
longer interested in pursuing the matter. We are going to minute her
stand to the Commissioner of Police to await further directives.
Firstclassnewsline.net