Shock and outrage have trailed the arrest of a father and a school gateman in Osogbo, Osun State, after a 17-year old girl accused them of subjecting her to prolonged sexual abuse.

The disturbing case has sparked renewed calls for stronger child protection laws.

Recall that a teacher in Osun state was last week nabbed by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for allegedly sticking his manhood into a student’s mouth.

The teenager (name withheld), an SS3 student of Baptist Girls High School, Gbodofon, Osogbo, alleged that her father, Mr. Adepoju, repeatedly molested her in their residence, which is located inside a school hostel.

She further claimed that an elderly gateman at the school also took advantage of her vulnerability.

According to sources, Adepoju, a gardener with the Baptist Church Convention near the school, allegedly sneaked into the victim’s room at night and forced her into inappropriate acts.

The victim, who has a history of seizures, recalled waking up from episodes unsure of what had been done to her.

The teenager said her ordeal lasted for months, with her father silencing her with beatings and threats.

“Whenever I refused, he would flog me mercilessly. I wanted to speak up, but I was scared,” she recounted.

Her classmates and teachers noticed her frequent bruises, but she always covered up the truth.

“She would come to school with injuries and swollen eyes, but she always said she fell or was disciplined at home,” a teacher said.

The girl’s plight worsened when an elderly security guard, known as ‘Baba Gate,’ allegedly began luring her with money before sexually exploiting her inside a room near the school gate.

“He gave me N500 and told me he liked me. He did it multiple times before I started avoiding him,” the victim said.

After enduring months of abuse, the girl found the courage to leave a heartbreaking message in her notebook,  “I hate my father.”

This prompted her mother to question her, leading to the revelation of the shocking abuse.

However, despite confronting her husband, the girl’s mother allegedly failed to take immediate action.

Concerned human rights activists stepped in and alerted the Osun State Police Command, which swiftly arrested both suspects.

Police spokesperson Adeola Adeoye confirmed the arrests, stating, “The suspects are in custody, and investigations are ongoing.”

The case has drawn widespread condemnation from advocacy groups, who are demanding swift justice and calling for stricter enforcement of child protection laws.

Many have also criticised societal negligence towards vulnerable children, stressing the need for better monitoring of school environments.

As the investigation progresses, activists are pushing for a thorough legal process to ensure the perpetrators face the full wrath of the law, while also urging the government to intensify