A 24-year-old man, Usman Mohammed Iyal, has been arrested for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl and attempting to murder her by throwing her into a well in Ambassadors Quarters, Katsina state.
The suspect's brutal actions were thwarted when the police launched a swift investigation and rescue operation, saving the victim from the well.
The incident occurred on September 27, 2024, when the victim's mother sent her on an errand.
According to the state Police Command, the suspect, armed with a knife, accosted and threatened the victim, then dragged her into an uncompleted building where he violently assaulted and raped her.
In an attempt to conceal his crime, the suspect threw the victim into a nearby well and hurled stones down the well, intending to kill her.
The victim's father, Abdullahi Sabitu, reported the incident at the GRA divisional police headquarters, leading to a swift investigation and rescue operation.
The police successfully rescued the victim from the well and arrested the suspect. The victim is currently receiving medical attention, and the investigation is ongoing.
The Katsina State Police Command paraded the suspect alongside others charged with various offences at the state headquarters.
While interrogating the suspect on why he attempted to kill her, he said, "Because I don't want her to expose me."
The command's spokesman, Sadiq Abubakar, said the arrest and ongoing investigation demonstrate the police's commitment to addressing violent crimes and ensuring justice for victims.