A wave of anger and protest swept through the Babasanya-Araka area of Ede, Osun State, on Saturday following the shocking discovery of a Chief Imam, identified only as Kadiri, allegedly raping an eight-year-old girl (name withheld) after sending her on an errand.
According to eyewitness accounts, the disturbing incident occurred around 12 noon. The young girl had earlier left home to run an errand for the cleric but failed to return in time, prompting her mother to begin searching the neighborhood in panic.
The search led her to a nearby mosque in the area, where she reportedly caught the cleric in the act. Her screams drew the attention of nearby residents, who quickly gathered at the scene, leading to a spontaneous protest.
Oladele Oluwatosin, a postgraduate student of Redeemer’s University in Ede, was in the area for a Development Communication (DevComm) campaign with his team when the incident unfolded.
Speaking with the Nation, “We suddenly heard noise at the junction of Babasanya which attracted residents of the area.
“The mother of the girl caught the Chief Imam in a mosque around the area. The mother said her daughter was crying and she was bleeding from her private part.”
Another eyewitness said: “Some of the followers of the Chief Imam wanted to help him escape but angry residents resisted it. The victim was taken to Babasanya Hospital where it was confirmed that the girl had been defiled.
“There was a large crowd at the hospital, the Chief Imam was locked in a room at the hospital and some residents called Amotekun who later took him to their office after which he was handed over to the police at ‘B’ Division, Ede.”
Kadiri confessed that he had canal knowledge of the girl after he sent her on an errand.
He said: “We lived together in the compound, I know her father and mother. I sent her to help me buy groundnuts and when she returned I defiled her.”
The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident.
He noted that the suspect, a cleric identified as Imam Kadiri, had been taken into custody and that a thorough investigation was already underway.
SP Ojelabi assured the public that the matter would be treated with the seriousness it deserves and that all necessary legal actions would be pursued to ensure justice for the victim.
He also urged members of the public to remain calm and allow the police to conduct their investigations professionally and without interference.