Despite having legal provisions in Criminal Code, Penal Code and Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act which criminalise and penalise rape and defilement, cases of rape and defilement are on the increase in Nigerian States as Police and other Security Agencies record rape and defilement cases on a regular basis.

The Security Agencies, especially Nigeria Police Force, make State-by-State records of rape and defilement, which are being documented and used to initiate litigation against offenders by various Ministries of Justice, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Offices of the Public Defender, Non-Governmental Oraginsations, among others.

But, the available rape and defilement records across the States of the Federation, which cover January to April, 2026, show that Plateau State in the North-Central of the Country emerges the State in Nigeria with highest cases of rape and defilement in the first quarter (Q1), recording 64 cases of rape and defilement in three months.

Speaking on the cases rape and defilement recorded by the Nigeria Police, Plateau State Police Command within the period under review, Bassey Ewah, Commissioner of Police in Plateau State, declared that the Command recorded no fewer than 64 rape and defilement cases within his three months in office, spanning February and April, 2026.

Ewah, who raised an alarm over the increasing rate of rape and defilement cases in the State while parading suspects at the Police Headquarters in Jos, noted that rape-related offences constituted the majority of the cases recorded and treated within the period under review.

Describing the situation as an “epidemic,” the Comissioner of Police said, “What we have seen can best be described as an epidemic”.

Among the suspects paraded was an individual accused of having carnal knowledge of a nine-year-old boy through anal assault, which suggests that both genders were raped and defiled in Plateau State within the period under review.

The Commissioner of Police also expressed concern over cases involving family members, revealing that three uncles allegedly raped their niece repeatedly over a period of time.

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He, however, said that he had directed all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to intensify efforts in tracking down perpetrators of rape and related offences. He also called on parents and guardians to maintain closer supervision of their children.

In a related development, three persons accused of hacking a student of the University of Jos were also paraded. The gang leader, identified as Abubakar, reportedly confessed to the crime.

Another suspect was apprehended for unlawful possession of locally made firearms.

Addressing issues of misconduct within the force, the CP warned against the harassment of members of the public by Police officers, urging citizens, particularly journalists, to report any officer found engaging in unprofessional conduct.

“Police officers should not hesitate to be investigated by members of the public, including journalists,” he said.

The Police also arrested and paraded nine suspected “Sarasuka” cultists, and displayed weapons and other exhibits recovered from the suspects.

Meanwhile, the Plateau Police boss has commended journalists in the State for their professionalism and continued support to the Command. (Guardian)