NAPTIP detains Lebanese for allegedly defiling minors in Jos

Success Nwogu

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said it has taken into custody a 61 year old civil engineer, who is a Lebanese, Mr. Kfouri Sleiman, (AKA Simo) for alleged involvement in the defilement of minors and using them for pornographic activities in Jos, the Plateau State Capital.

A statement on Thursday by Head, Press and Public Relations Unit, NAPTIP, Stella Nezan, stated that the suspect, who is said to have lived in Nigeria for 38 years, lives in Giring Road area of Jos alone without any member of his family.

She said the suspect was with operatives of the agency at the Abuja headquarters, after he was handed over by the Plateau State Command of the Nigerian Police.

It could be recalled that there was uneasiness within the Abattoir community in the Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State that the Lebanese for over 2 years had been defiling underage girls and using them for pornographic activities.

Pandemonium had broken out on Wednesday 12th May, 2021, when one of the victims whose parents had earlier declared her missing was seen by the neighbourhood vigilante coming out from the suspect’s house. This led to the arrest of the Lebanese by the Police.

It was learnt that on interviewing the victim, she mentioned what transpired at the suspect’s house with 10 other victims who have also been allegedly defiled by Mr. Suleiman.

One of the victims (13 years old) alleged that the suspect apart from sexually abusing them puts his fingers in their vagina while playing pornographic materials to them. The suspect is also alleged to be using the girls for pornographic displays to excite him.

It was further alleged that one of the victims (12 years old) is also to be pregnant for the suspect.

Sequel to the allegations, the Director General of NAPTIP, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim dispatched a crack team of investigators led by the agency’s Director of Investigation and Monitoring, Mr. Daniel Atokolo, to the state to join the NAPTIP office in Jos and other sister law enforcement agencies to carry out a thorough investigation on the matter.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim said the suspect was brought to Abuja in order to enhance full investigation into the incident.

The Director General said the transfer of the suspect to the agency was made possible due to the inter-agency collaboration between NAPTIP and the Nigeria Police especially as the allegations were within the jurisdiction of the Agency.

Sulaiman-Ibrahim said, “I want to assure the parents of the victims and stakeholders that the matter will be handled with the desired attention in order to ensure that justice is adequately served.”