NSCDC Arrests Two Clerics Over Alleged Abuse Of Minors In Ondo

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ondo State has arrested two Islamic clerics over the alleged assault and abuse of two minors in Owo, Owo Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were identified as Adebodun Muideen, 30, of Al-Balaagul-Mubeen Arabic and Islamic Centre, and Oladejo Musiliu, 35, of Abdullah Arabic and Islamic Centre. Their arrest followed a report of suspected child abuse.

Confirming the development in a statement, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Daniel Aidamenbor, said the arrests were made on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, after a complaint was filed by a child rights advocacy group, the Kids and Teens Resource Centre.

Aidamenbor disclosed that the report was prompted after a class teacher noticed multiple injuries on the bodies of the children.

Preliminary investigations, he said, revealed that the victims, whose parents live in Osun State, had been placed under the care of the clerics to study the Qur’an and other Islamic teachings, while also attending conventional schools.

He added that one of the minors allegedly returned home with a mobile phone he could not adequately explain, which reportedly led to the implication of the second child.

According to Aidamenbor, the suspects allegedly subjected the children to harsh punishment, resulting in serious injuries.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the children whose parents are in Osun state gave the children to the Alfas to learn the Quran and other islamic practises while still attending conventional schools.

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“One of the victims brought home a Vivo Android phone, of which he could not explain convincingly how he got it. During their findings, the other boy was implicated in the act. In order to reprimand them, a heated cutlass was used on their back and buttocks there by inflicting a deep wound on them.

“The act is a total violation of the Child Right Act and the Ondo state Child Protection Law,” Aidamenbor added..

He further explained that the clerics who have since made confessional statements would be formally charged and prosecuted for offences bordering on assault and child abuse.

Meanwhile, the State Commandant, Oluyemi Joshua Ibiloye, warned religious institutions, parents and guardians against violent forms of discipline, stressing that any act of abuse against children constitutes a criminal offence under Nigerian law.

He, however, lauded the executive director of Kids and Teens Resource Centre for promptly reporting the case and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of child abuse to security agencies.