A 26-year-old church security guard, Godwin Dauda, has been arrested over the alleged rape and killing of an 11-year-old girl, Christabel Albert, in Suleja, Niger state. The incident occurred on September 19, 2026, when Christabel reportedly left home to attend a relative’s birthday celebration. According to the Niger State Police Public Relation Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the girl was later lured by Dauda to his security post at the Apostolic Church.
The police said Christabel failed to return home, prompting a missing-person report to be lodged at the A Division Police Station, Suleja, on September 20. A pastor from the church later reported the discovery of a body inside a well within the church premises. Police officers, assisted by officials of the local government welfare department, evacuated the body and took it to the General Hospital, Suleja, where it was identified as that of the missing girl.
Investigation led to suspicion against Dauda, who had reportedly fled the church premises after the incident. He was subsequently arrested around 8pm on September 23 in the Kuje area of the Federal Capital Territory, where he had allegedly gone to hide. The police said Dauda confessed during interrogation that he lured Christabel to his security room on September 19 and raped her, resulting in her death.
According to the police, Dauda allegedly told investigators that he dumped the girl’s body in the well in an attempt to conceal the crime before fleeing the area. The police said a preliminary investigation was ongoing and the suspect would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna for further investigation and prosecution.
The Niger State Police Public Relation Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, made the arrest and investigation details public in a press statement on Friday. The statement provided insight into the sequence of events leading to the arrest of the suspect. The incident has sparked widespread concern and calls for increased vigilance and safety measures in communities.
The case highlights the need for thorough background checks and proper screening of church security personnel to prevent such heinous crimes. Authorities are expected to work closely with community leaders and residents to ensure that justice is served in this case. The suspect's actions have caused shock and outrage in the community.
The police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist with the investigation. The community is in mourning, and efforts are being made to provide support to the victim's family.
Key points
- A 26-year-old church security guard, Godwin Dauda, was arrested for allegedly raping and killing an 11-year-old girl, Christabel Albert.
- The incident occurred on September 19, 2026, in Suleja, Niger state, and the suspect was arrested on September 23 in the Federal Capital Territory.
- The police are conducting a preliminary investigation and the suspect will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna for further investigation and prosecution.
