Panic in Abuja school over molestation of pupils

There is tension at the School for the Deaf and Dumb in the Kuje
area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as suspected
occultists have invaded the premises and allegedly molested some
pupils.

Our correspondent learnt that the parent of a six-year-old pupil
of the school first raised the alarm after she reportedly noticed
signs of abuse on her child.

The number or identities of the assailants could not yet be
determined as of press time, but police detectives had visited the
school and commenced investigations.

Parents of some of the victims reported the matter to the
Federal Ministry of Education, which also contacted the FCT
Administration.

A parent, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of
retribution, said, “Some yet-to-be-identified occultists have
devised a means of sneaking into the school to molest the pupils,
who in their estimation, cannot talk to anyone. They abduct some of
them and molest them – both boys and girls. The attackers are said
to be conniving with some insiders.

“There is serious brutality and sodomy going on in the school.
We informed the Ministry of Education over two weeks ago but no
serious action was taken since then. The school management is aware
of the ugly incident, but it has failed to bring the matter to the
attention of the authorities.”

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Sonny
Echono, who led other government officials to inspect the school,
on Tuesday, confirmed that investigation into the incident had
since commenced.

He said, “We are here on a preliminary report; we have been
carrying out the investigation for more than a week. There are
certain things we have been doing here without talking about them.
Our investigation is now at the final stage. A lot has been done by
the Ministry of Education, the FCT Administration and the
police.

“We will address Nigerians on what has been found out. The issue
has to do with national security, rights of children and child
abuse. Let me appeal that if there is any parent, whose child has
disappeared or died in mysterious circumstances, or could not find
the body of their child, please let us know.

“On the case of the six-year-old child, this is a special case
and we have concluded that there was definitely an abuse of that
child. What we don’t know at this stage is when, where and how that
child was abused.”

During the visit to the school, our correspondent observed the
government’s medical team, examining the pupils, while parents also
held a meeting with the ministry officials.