The Edo State Government has revealed that more than 70 cases of child defilement were recorded between January and July 2026, with over 50 per cent of the cases allegedly committed by the victims’ fathers.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah, disclosed this on Thursday during the bi-monthly press conference organised by the Edo State Ministry of Information and Strategy.
Abdallah, who spoke alongside the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, and the Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EdoGIS), Innocent Bello, said many of the affected children were between two and 10 years old.
According to her, a significant number of the abuse cases involved biological fathers. She cited the case of a 14-year-old girl currently in government custody who is eight months pregnant after allegedly being impregnated by her father. The incident, she said, was reported by a neighbour.
The commissioner explained that when officials questioned the girl about her father, she claimed he was dead and pleaded that he should not be arrested, even though she is the only person who can provide information on his whereabouts.
Abdallah stressed that the state government remains committed to protecting vulnerable residents and supporting survivors of abuse through social protection and economic empowerment programmes.
Speaking on security measures in the state, Kassim Afegbua defended the government’s ban on the movement of motorcycles within Benin metropolis, saying the decision was taken strictly for security reasons.
He said intelligence reports indicated that motorcycles were being used in kidnapping, robbery and other criminal activities, with some passengers allegedly being taken to isolated areas and robbed.
Also addressing the press conference, EdoGIS Managing Director Innocent Bello said delays in processing land documents were largely caused by the discovery of fake application documents, including forged survey plans, tax clearance certificates and identity cards.
