CP Bassey Ewah, the Commissioner of Police of the Plateau State Command, has disclosed that the command has received 64 cases of rape and defilement since his appointment in February 2026.
On Friday, Ewah disclosed the information while escorting 18 suspects who had been apprehended for cultism, illegal arms possession, homicide, and rape to the Command’s headquarters in Jos, the state capital.
He declared that “rape and defilement are not family matters” and cautioned against undertaking efforts to “resolve” such cases outside of the legal system.
He further stated, “This is a component of our dedication to maintaining our accountability to the public and to convey a clear message to criminal elements that Plateau State will not serve as a refuge for them.”
He stated that “sexual offences were prevalent in the arrests.” On March 24, 2026, the Pankshin Divisional Police Headquarters received a report that Longnan Joshua, a male 18-year-old, had been caught with carnal knowledge of a one-year-old female.
“The victim’s mother, who is a student, typically entrusts her to her older brother.” She became suspicious upon discovering him bathing the victim upon her return home.
“The brother informed the police that Longnan Joshua, the suspect, would send him to purchase peanuts or biscuits for him whenever he was left at home with his sister.” The suspect would be found nude, on top of the victim, engaging in sexual intercourse with her through the anus upon his return.
According to the victim’s medical examination, the anus appears to be hyperaemic, with haemorrhage emanating from it. The CP also reported the discovery of a small quantity of semen from the anus, which implies that she was the victim of sexual assault. Joshua was apprehended and will be prosecuted in court.
Additionally, Ewah stated, “On 17/04/2026, the A Division Police Station in Jos apprehended a male individual, Douglas Madaki, 19, of Ikukumu village, Tudun Wada, Jos North LGA. Madaki is alleged to have had carnal knowledge of a seven-year-old girl on multiple occasions and had warned her not to disclose the information to anyone.” The complainant overheard the girl stating that he had subjected her to this treatment on more than five separate occasions, and that he had threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed the information to anyone.
“Madaki has admitted to the offence and is currently in our custody,” he stated.
The CP also disclosed that on 09/03/2026, the police at Nassarawa Gwong Division apprehended “Asen Arin, a 40-year-old male from Tina Junction, for forcibly engaging in sexual intercourse with his niece whenever her grandmother was not present.”
The suspect has been abusing the victim since she was approximately nine years old, according to CP Ewah.
In addition, “one Usman Agwom and Ishaya Aju have also been forcibly acquiring carnal knowledge of her. However, they are currently at large, and the police are making efforts to apprehend them.”
The CP also disclosed that “On 23/04/2026, the Anglo-Jos Police Station apprehended a 17-year-old girl in her care, Oyenado Yetunde Esther, a female from Sparkling Junction.”
“Esther admitted to the crime and further disclosed that her actions were motivated by the fact that she observed the victim and her boyfriend engaging in sexual intercourse in the shop.”
Christopher Jah Gyang, a 34-year-old male, was also apprehended. According to Ewah, the victim had previously cared for the second suspect; however, the pregnancy was terminated.
In reference to a mob action that occurred on 01/04/2026, CP Ewah stated that “a mob lynched one Ebubechukwu Kelvin Ihionu, a 40-year-old male from Utan, Jos North LGA, in close proximity to the permanent site of the University of Jos.” The phone of the deceased was traced to Usman Idris, who acquired it from Abba Musa, who in turn acquired it from Abubakar Sadiq Mustapha.
The phone was recovered from the scene of the assault by Mustapha, as revealed by the investigation.
On 26/04/2026, Barkin Ladi Division apprehended Iliya Amagon, a male resident of Tenti Village, Barkin Ladi LGA, in possession of three locally fabricated AK47 rifles and three empty magazines, according to Ewah.
Amagon stated that he obtained them from “one Mr Dachomo (at large) through one Eliya Dalyop Barry, a male resident of Dahwol village, Jos South LGA.”
“He admitted to purchasing more than seven firearms at a cost of eight hundred thousand naira each and reselling them for a commission,” the CP stated.
“A disturbing epidemic of rape and defilement in Plateau State,” as CP Ewah described the increase in sexual offences.
He stated, “This heinous crime is no longer restricted to attacks on women and girls.” We are currently documenting instances of rape perpetrated on young boys and girls, frequently by individuals who are responsible for their care and protection as guardians. This is an abomination and a betrayal of trust that will not be tolerated.
He denounced the requests of “certain traditional and religious leaders to resolve such matters at home in order to safeguard the reputation of the families or communities involved.”
“Let me be clear: rape and defilement are not family matters.” They are felonies against the state; no individual, organization, or institution has the authority to protect offenders from justice, as CP Ewah declared.
“I have issued strict instructions to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, who is responsible for the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), to ensure that all reported cases of rape and defilement are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the State.” He guaranteed that there would be no “settlement” at any Police Division or Formation in the State.
Additionally, any individual, regardless of their status, title, or position, who approaches the police to appeal on behalf of a rape or defilement suspect will be arrested and charged as an accessory after the fact. He cautioned, “You cannot claim to be a custodian of peace while obstructing justice.”
He encouraged parents to “be vigilant, protect your children, and report any suspicion or incident immediately to the nearest police station or through the emergency lines made available on our Social Media platforms.” He advised, “If you see something, say something.”