Father of gang-rape victim protests release of suspects

The father of a woman who gave birth after being allegedly raped by five men has appealed to an area court in Jos, Plateau State to ensure justice for his daughter.

Amina Ismail, who has mental health challenge, was allegedly raped by five men after which she gave birth to a baby girl in Unguwan Rogo area of Jos North Local Government Area.

The suspects, Dahiru Maishayi, Ibrahim Aliyu, Shu’aibu Umar, Illa Isma’il and Mallam Alajeje, were reported to have been arrested by a vigilante group in the area and handed over to the police who detained them for three days.

PREMIUM TIMES reported on August 17 that the investigating officer, Bala Garba, confirmed the case was reported to the police.

On the August 16, the suspects were taken before the Jos Area Court 1 and remanded for two weeks by Justice Ghazali Isma’il Adam pending their arraignment on August 30.

But the father of the victim, Alhasan Abdullahi, said the suspects have been released under unclear circumstances.

“It is surprising to see the suspects moving freely in the area after they were remanded for two weeks,” Mr Abdullahi told Premium Times on Thursday.

” On August 16, when they were brought to court, they all pleaded not guilty after reading their charges. To my knowledge at the court on that day, there was nothing of bail condition said in my presence. They were all sent to prison for two weeks. I was even asked to pay for their transport from the court to the prison which I did.

“They all admitted to have had affairs with her. One of them had earlier on agreed to marry but later refused after she gave birth to a baby girl,” he said.