Niger State Agency detains 65-Year-Old man over alleged pregnancy of granddaughter

The Niger State Child Rights Agency says a 65-year-old man, Musa Gado, is currently in police custody for allegedly impregnating his 16-year-old granddaughter.

The Director-General of the agency, Hajiya Kaltume Mohammed, disclosed this to journalists in Minna on Wednesday, stating that a DNA test confirmed Gado as the biological father of the victim’s four-month-old baby.

According to her, the suspect, who is the maternal grandfather of the victim from Mashegu Local Government Area, had made attempts to terminate the pregnancy.

Mohammed said the case was initially reported in 2025 by the victim’s father, Mr Lawal Nababa, who alleged repeated sexual abuse of his daughter by her grandfather.

She explained that the girl was about six months pregnant when she was brought to the agency and was kept in its custody until she delivered a baby boy in December 2025.

“When the girl was brought to the agency, she was actually six months pregnant… she was kept under the custody of the agency from that time until now,” she said.

The agency said both parties agreed to a DNA test after the suspect denied responsibility. The test was reportedly conducted in a foreign laboratory at a cost of N500,000, with results showing a 99.9999 per cent probability that Gado was the father.

“After she gave birth… within five weeks the result came out, and it was announced that the grandfather was the father of the baby,” she added.

Mohammed said the suspect remains in police custody and will be charged to court after investigations are completed.

She also revealed that the agency is currently handling six similar cases of sexual abuse involving minors, including incidents linked to biological parents and relatives.

“Child molestation and rape are alarming in the state,” she said, adding that the agency has intensified prosecution efforts since she assumed office in November 2025.

According to her, the case was formally reported to the agency on October 5, 2025.