Parents seeking justice for Hauwa’u Hayatu, a 5-year-old girl who was reportedly raped in Anguwan Rogo community in Jos North LGA of Plateau State, are currently stranded over an alleged demand of N50,000 by the police.

The minor was said to have been assaulted by one Zubairu Ussaini, on Thursday.

Speaking to Daily Trust on Monday, the parents some police officers demanded N50,000 from them to open the case file and proceed with investigation, a demand they said they could not afford.

The victim’s mother, Suwaiba Iliyasu, said, “On Thursday, after my daughter returned from school, she and her elder brother went out. A moment later, they returned home with roasted groundnuts. It is my habit not to allow people to just give my children anything. I always investigate who gives them any gift.

“I asked her who gave her the groundnuts and she said our neighbor outside removed her trousers, beat her, and gave her the groundnuts. When I heard about the trousers being removed, I quickly wore my hijab and took her to the man. I asked him, ‘Why did you beat her and even remove her trousers?’ He responded that he did not remove her trousers, but that he beat her when he saw her and her brother playing. He said she started crying, so he gave them N200 to buy groundnuts.

“When asked further, Hauwa’u, however, said that he took her to a room, removed his trousers and hers, and put her on his lap. I then called her father.

“We reported the case at the Anguwan Rogo police station. The DPO asked that she be taken to the hospital, where doctors confirmed that she was defiled. The suspect was arrested. The DPO later took the matter to the Commissioner of Police, who referred us to ‘A’ Division, where a female police officer asked us to pay N50,000 to open a file.”

According to the parents, they told the police that they could not afford the N50,000, and feared the suspect might be freed due to their inability to pay.

The victim’s father, Hayatu Muhammad, expressed concern over the police demand, especially given the situation his daughter faced.

He said, “I was surprised to hear the police asking us to pay the money. At the Anguwan Rogo Police Division and at the Police Headquarters, nobody asked us to pay anything. But at ‘A’ Division, they said we must pay the money. I go out daily to look for what my family will eat. I am not rich. How will I get the money?

“I even asked the police what the money was meant for, and where the receipt was if payment was made. We argued, and I later told them that I don’t have the money and left the division,”

The father said.

The parents, however, called on relevant authorities, including the Commissioner of Police, to ensure justice for their daughter.

Spokesperson of the state police command, SP Alabo Alfred, didn’t respond to call and WhatsApp messages from our correspondent as of the time of this report. (Daily Trust)

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