Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Eugenia Abdallah, has voiced serious concern regarding a surge in reports of fathers sexually abusing their daughters. Records indicate that between January and July 2026, the state documented 72 instances of child defilement, with fathers implicated in more than half of these incidents involving victims aged two to ten.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the Commissioner detailed a disturbing case involving a 14-year-old girl currently eight months pregnant by her father. The incident came to light after a neighbor notified authorities once the perpetrator fled. Despite the victim’s expressed attachment to her father, the state remains dedicated to securing justice and providing essential protection.
To combat this issue, the government has launched a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Uromi, offering comprehensive support for survivors. Plans are underway to establish a second center in Auchi to broaden the reach of these services. Additionally, the Ministry continues to handle individual cases, such as the rescue of an 11-year-old girl and two sisters suffering from prolonged abuse, by coordinating with law enforcement for investigations.
Kassim Afegbua, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, emphasized the widespread nature of these social problems, citing the rescue of a six-year-old girl as a reminder of the need for urgent action. He urged the implementation of harsher punishments to deter offenders.