Two Islamic Clerics Arrested Over Alleged Abuse of Minors in Ondo
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested two Islamic clerics in Owo, Ondo State, for allegedly subjecting two minors to severe physical abuse.
The state NSCDC spokesperson, Daniel Aidamenbor, disclosed in a statement released on Thursday that the suspects — Adebodun Muideen, 30, of Al-Balaagul-Mubeen Arabic and Islamic Centre, and Oladejo Musiliu, 35, of Abdullah Arabic and Islamic Centre, were taken into custody following a report by the Kids and Teens Resource Centre.
According to Aidamenbor, the case surfaced on Wednesday when a class teacher noticed multiple injuries on the children and quickly alerted the child-rights advocacy organisation.
Preliminary findings indicated that the boys, whose parents are based in Osun State, were sent to Owo to receive both Qur’anic and conventional education. Suspicion reportedly arose after one of the minors returned with a Vivo Android phone but could not account for how he obtained it.
Further questioning allegedly linked the second boy to the incident, prompting the clerics to punish both children. Authorities said the suspects used a heated cutlass to inflict injuries on the boys’ backs and buttocks, resulting in deep wounds.
Aidamenbor described the act as a grave violation of the Child Rights Act and the Ondo State Child Protection Law, adding that the suspects have confessed and will be charged to court for assault and child abuse.
He warned religious institutions, parents, and guardians against administering unlawful punishment, stressing that violence against children remains a criminal offence under Nigerian law.
The NSCDC also applauded the prompt response of the Kids and Teens Resource Centre and encouraged members of the public to report suspected cases of child abuse to security agencies without delay.
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