Street Child suspends staff over alleged rape of minor, says investigation ongoing

July 12, 2020 – Street Child, a Non-Governmental Organisation working in Nigeria’s North East has confirmed the suspension of its staff, Mr Bala Sunday Halidu, who was arrested for allegedly raping a 10-year old minor.

The NGO made this known in a statement made available to The Humanitarian Post on Sunday.

According to the organization, Halidu, a livelihood officer with Street Child has been suspended pending the outcomes of the investigation by the police.

Condemning the incident, Street Child says it would never support abuse and exploitation in any form, and is committed to providing protection and support to anyone coming into contact with the organisation.

“Street Child has zero tolerance for any violation of humanitarian and safeguarding principles, particularly related to the prevention of sexual abuse and exploitation."

Street Child Nigeria further expressed concerns for the survivor, adding that it was working with the police to ensure that proper and appropriate steps were taken in the matter.

“We are aware that one of our national staff members has been accused of rape. The allegation, occurring outside work, is currently being investigated by the police.

“We have immediately suspended the staff member in line with our organisational protocols, pending the outcome of the police investigation.

“Street Child fully supports this objective inquiry and will render any assistance requested.

“We are closely following the situation and ready to act to ensure that the proper and appropriate steps are taken.

“Our concern is now for the survivor. While ensuring their privacy and safety, it is important that the survivor is properly cared for and receives the support they need.

The Humanitarian Post reports that on Wednesday, July 8, the GRA Divisional Police Station in Borno arrested Halidu, for allegedly raping a 10-year old minor at his resident in Mashirimami area of Maiduguri.

The suspect was arrested after the mother of the minor confirmed the incident, saying that

the accused person was her neighbour.

According to the minor’s mother, the accused had offered to drop her Mom and daughter at home on that fateful day.

She explained that on getting home, her daughter helped Halidu take a cartoon of water and soft drinks from his car to his apartment when he forcefully had carnal knowledge of her.

Narrating the ordeal she said “he picked them at my shop in to road to our house when they reached the house, my daughter assisted him to offload a cartoon of water and soft drinks to his room.

“He grabbed her and pushed her on his bed, covered her mouth with his hands and raped my daughter on Sunday.

“He again asked my daughter to come to his house on Tuesday morning, so that she can take her to the school, innocently she went there and he did it again.

“I was never aware of all these until they called me from her school that my daughter couldn’t seat properly, so when I got there, her countenance was dull.

“I asked her what happened she told me that uncle did it and asked did what? I was mad I could not believe it that he could do this evil to my daughter.” She said.

She said the case was reported to the GRA Divisional Police Station in Maiduguri and Halidu was subsequently arrested on Wednesday night.