Edo State officials have disclosed that more than 70 cases of defilement were recorded between January and July 2026, with a significant portion of the alleged perpetrators being the victims’ own fathers. The announcement was made on Thursday during a bi-monthly press conference organized by the state’s Ministry of Information and Strategy.
Eugenia Abdallah, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, provided the figures, noting that over half of the reported cases involved paternal abuse. According to the commissioner, the minors affected in these specific instances were between the ages of 2 and 10.
Case Highlights the Challenge of Reporting
Commissioner Abdallah shared a specific case currently in the state’s care to illustrate the complexities involved in these investigations. She described a 14-year-old girl who is eight months pregnant as a result of incest. The case was brought to the government’s attention by a neighbor.
In a troubling turn, the commissioner recounted that when the girl was asked about her father, she claimed he was deceased and pleaded with authorities not to arrest him. Abdallah noted that the girl is the only person who can provide information on her father’s whereabouts, complicating the state’s ability to pursue the case.
Government Pledges Support for Survivors
Abdallah reiterated the state government’s commitment to moving beyond mere identification of vulnerable citizens. She stated that the administration is focused on ensuring survivors are supported, women are given economic opportunities, and social-protection programs yield measurable results. The commissioner’s remarks were part of a broader update on the government’s social agenda.
Security Measures and Administrative Delays Addressed
The press conference also touched on other governance matters. Kassim Afegbua, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, defended the government’s ban on motorcycle movement in the Benin metropolis, stating it was implemented purely for security reasons. He cited daily reports of criminals using motorcycles to kidnap and rob passengers, often taking them to isolated locations.
Separately, Dr. Innocent Bello, Managing Director of the Edo State Geographic Information Service (EdoGIS), addressed delays in the release of land documents. He attributed the backlog to the detection of fraudulent applications, which frequently include fake survey plans, task clearances, and identification documents.