Get Guardian on GoogleThe Edo State Government yesterday said more than 70 cases of defilement were recorded in the state between January and July 2026, with fathers allegedly responsible for over half of the cases involving minors.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah, disclosed this during the bi-monthly press conference organised by the state Ministry of Information and Strategy.
Abdallah, who was flanked by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, and the Managing Director of Edo State Geographic Information Service (EdoGIS), Dr Innocent Bello, said some of the victims allegedly abused by their fathers were between two and 10 years old.
She said the ministry was handling cases involving vulnerable children and was committed to ensuring that victims received protection and support.
Abdallah said the government would continue to strengthen measures aimed at protecting vulnerable residents, supporting survivors and creating opportunities for women to improve their economic wellbeing.
She added that the government was committed to ensuring that social protection programmes produced measurable results.
