Edo State reports over 70 child defilement cases

The Edo State Government reported that over 70 cases of defilement were recorded between January and July 2026. Eugenia Abdallah, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, disclosed that more than 50 per cent of these cases were perpetrated by the victims' fathers.

Abdallah noted that the minors targeted in these incidents were between the ages of 2 and 10. She highlighted a specific case involving a 14-year-old girl who is eight months pregnant after being impregnated by her father.

The state government expressed its commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens, supporting survivors, and providing economic advancement opportunities for women. Additionally, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, reiterated the existing ban on motorcycle movement in the Benin metropolis, citing security concerns.