The leader of the Igala Community in Lagos, Muhammad Salifu, has been arrested by the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police. This followed a report by Saturday PUNCH about suspected child defilement.
A family source told Saturday PUNCH that Salifu was arrested on Wednesday after he fought with his associates against the police at his home in Lagos.
"He was finally arrested today. We are currently at the Commissioner of Police’s office. The police officers were beaten and injured. They had to call for backup from Ogudu Police Station. The backup team intervened and took Salifu from his house before handing him over to the Gender Unit police," the source said.
Videos and photos of the clash before Salifu's arrest were sent to our correspondent on Wednesday evening. In the clips, Salifu, wearing a white native outfit, is seen struggling with officers at his house entrance, while angry women and youths tried to stop the arrest.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, asked our correspondent to send details of the case via WhatsApp for confirmation. As of the time of this report, she had not responded.
A police source in the unit confirmed to Saturday PUNCH that Salifu is still in custody. On September 6, Saturday PUNCH reported that the Kogi chief allegedly raped a teenager twice at a hotel in Ojota, Lagos, in December 2023, when she was 15 years old.
The girl’s mother, Elizabeth Yakubu, said the teenager later became pregnant. Elizabeth stated that Salifu initially denied it but later accepted responsibility. He paid N50,000 for an abortion, which the family refused.
According to a petition from their lawyer, Kazeem Adebanjo, the teenager eventually had to undergo a caesarean section. Sadly, the baby had breathing problems and died after seven days. The lawyer claimed the teenager suffered complications that damaged her womb. Elizabeth’s husband later died amid the family's struggles.
The family reported the case to Ketu Police Station, the Lagos State Police Command’s Gender Unit, and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, which referred the matter for investigation.
Police sources stated the case is still under investigation. They mentioned that Salifu was initially difficult to locate as officers allegedly failed to arrest him at several places.
Salifu has denied the allegations. He claims the issue is connected to opposition against his leadership in the Igala community. He questioned why the family waited until 2026 to report the matter.
On Thursday, the Amonu Igala Ujah Ache Council urged the Igala community and the public to keep calm. The statement read, "We are fully aware of the recent arrest of Chief Muhammad Salifu Shaibu by the Gender Office due to allegations of defilement of a minor."
The statement continued, "We understand the concern, tension, and emotional impact this situation brings to our community. We urge everyone to approach this matter with care and wisdom. We must allow security agencies and legal authorities to conduct a thorough and fair investigation. We remind everyone that no one should take the law into their own hands."
Previously, the Command’s Gender Unit announced that the case was being formally transferred from the local police station to their unit. They stated, "The Gender Office has taken over this matter. This follows an official order from the Commissioner of Police for a more detailed investigation."
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