The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a man identified as Zayyanu Halilu for allegedly sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl inside a tinted vehicle in Abuja.
The police said the victim was also found to be approximately three months pregnant following the alleged abuse.
Halilu was arrested on Friday, October 2, 2026, by operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit at the Airport Bridge Taxi Park in Abuja.
The arrest was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh.
According to the police, officers attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit were conducting routine patrols around the taxi park when they noticed a navy-blue Volkswagen with registration number KMC567LQ parked at the location.
The command said the vehicle’s windows were wound up and officers became suspicious after noticing that the vehicle was shaking.
The officers reportedly approached the vehicle and opened the door, where they allegedly found Halilu sexually abusing the minor.
The police statement said the officers immediately intervened, arrested the suspect and rescued the girl.
The command stated: “However, the vehicle was shaking. The officers, suspecting foul play, approached the vehicle and opened it, only to see one Zayyanu Halilu raping a twelve (12) year old minor.”
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the incident was allegedly not an isolated occurrence.
The command said Halilu had allegedly lured the girl to the same location on several occasions and sexually abused her inside the vehicle.
The suspect also allegedly threatened the girl with harm if she disclosed the abuse to anyone.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had, on several occasions, lured and sexually abused the underaged victim in the said vehicle parked at the same location, with threats to ‘deal with her’ if she reveals the abuse to anyone,” the statement added.
The police said the victim subsequently underwent medical examination, which reportedly showed that she was approximately three months pregnant.
The command said the girl was receiving medical attention and undergoing further assessment while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse continued.
“The victim is currently receiving medical care and assessment, while the suspect remains in Police custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the command said.
The arrest comes amid continuing concerns over the safety and protection of children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
The FCT Police Command urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and pay close attention to the whereabouts, activities and general welfare of children and wards under their care.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, also called on residents to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious activities or individuals to the police.
The command advised members of the public to provide information to the nearest police station or use the FCT Police emergency communication channels whenever they observe activities that could pose a threat to children or other residents.
Meanwhile, the suspect remains in police custody as investigations continue. The police said he would be taken before a court after the completion of the investigation.
Authorities have continued to stress the importance of early reporting of suspected child abuse, noting that prompt intervention can help protect victims and facilitate investigations.
The case also highlights the importance of vigilance in public spaces, particularly around transport facilities and other locations where children may be vulnerable to exploitation.
The police assured the public that the investigation would continue to establish the full circumstances of the alleged offence and determine the appropriate legal action.
Until the conclusion of the investigation and any subsequent court proceedings, the allegations against the suspect remain allegations.
