The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Barr. Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has commended the courageous ruling by the Chief Judge of Nasarawa State, Justice Aisha Bashir-Aliyu, who sentenced Ahmadu Yaro to 21 years in prison for the horrific rape of a three-month-old baby in Adogi village, Nasarawa State.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Minister described the judgment as a landmark victory for justice and a clear signal that crimes against children will not go unpunished.
“This verdict is a commendable affirmation of the justice system’s duty to protect the most vulnerable members of our society — our children,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated.
“Justice Aisha Bashir-Aliyu’s bold leadership, along with the committed efforts of the Attorney General, Barr. Isaac Danladi, sets a powerful precedent in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).”
The Minister also lauded Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for providing an enabling environment for justice delivery, and reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs’ dedication to supporting survivors and ensuring perpetrators are held accountable.
She emphasized that this judgment must not stand in isolation but serve as a catalyst for national action.
“This is not just a win for one family — it is a strong message to all offenders that impunity will no longer be tolerated in Nigeria. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are committed to survivor-focused, unrelenting justice.”
Sulaiman-Ibrahim called for the full enforcement of the Child Rights Act (CRA), which has now been domesticated in all 36 states, urging state governments, judicial officers, communities, and law enforcement to act decisively in protecting children from abuse and exploitation.
“Let this ruling serve as a turning point. Let it be a warning to perpetrators and a source of hope to families across Nigeria. We will no longer shield those who violate our children.”
The Ministry pledged ongoing collaboration with state actors, civil society, and international partners to strengthen legal systems, expand survivor services, and prevent future occurrences of such heinous crimes.