A 26-year-old man, Rufai Idowu, has been arrested by the Osun State Police Command for allegedly killing a 10-year-old primary four pupil, Tawa Bilawu-Asafa, during an attempt to defile her.
Idowu, who resided at Oosa Compound, Ile-Ogbo town, reportedly committed the crime on Monday, November 4 at about 6p.m. when the deceased was returning home from Qur’anic school.
It was gathered that the suspect lured the girl, who was said to be his cousin, into his room, after which he attempted to rape her.
The minor was said to have resisted the attempt but Idowu allegedly used his strength to overpower her and removed her clothes forcefully.
As the girl struggled with him and started shouting for help, the suspect reportedly removed the girl’s head tie and stuffed it into her mouth while he held her nostrils and strangled her by holding her throat until her breath ceased.
During interrogation by the police, Idowu confessed to committing the crime but claimed that it was the deceased who came to his room and removed his trousers.
He said he became aroused when the girl started caressing him but was surprised when she raised the alarm when he wanted to have penetrative sex with her.
“I held her neck and nostrils to prevent her shout from reaching the ears of neighbours. Unfortunately, she died. My deed was not intentional,” Idowu said. The suspect confessed to being a chronic cannabis sativa (Indian hemp) smoker.
The father of the deceased girl, Mr Bilawu Asafa, who spoke with Sunday Tribune, said the entire family became worried when the girl was not seen at about 7p.m., a situation which led to a search for her until someone came to tell him that Tawa was found dead in Idowu’s room.
The man stated further that the suspect even attempted to injure those who were trying to apprehend him as he broke a bottle, threatening to stab anyone who came near him.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of State Criminal InvestigationDepartment, Mohammed Jimoh reportedly led the team of detectives that went to the scene of the incident while the suspect was taken to the State CID for detailed investigation.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Folasade Odoro, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident when contacted, saying that the
Commissioner of Police, Dorothy Gimba had directed the prompt investigation and arraignment of the suspect after the completion of the investigation.