Olaniran Lateef, a 43-year-old mathematics teacher at Ebenezer Grammar School in Iberekodo, Ogun state, has been apprehended by authorities for allegedly sexually assaulting two girls in Abeokuta, the state capital.
Commissioner Motunrayo Adeleye of the Ogun State Ministry of Women Affairs revealed in a statement on Wednesday that the arrest followed a complaint filed against Lateef regarding the alleged rape incidents.
During a joint operation involving ministry officials and the police, the team arrived at Lateef’s residence and caught him in the act of assaulting another woman, leading to his immediate arrest.
“On Saturday, a member of our team got a call from a young lady reporting that she has been raped by a man,” the statement reads.
“We swung into action and located her, took her to the laboratory to run several tests before taking her to the police station to make a report.
“We thereafter went with the police to the accused home but after several knocks, he refused to open the gate.
“We were able to locate the brother to the house owner who assisted us in gaining access to the compound.
“We heard a girl’s cry for help when we got into the compound and with the support of the police, we caught Mr. Olaniran Lateef Adewale, a secondary school mathematics teacher at Ebenezer Grammar school Iberekodo, Abeokuta and a native of Ipokia local government of Ogun state with OGNO.30650 of Ogun State Teaching service commission.
“The girl with him also accused him of forcibly having sexual intercourse with her and threatening to kill her if she does not ask her family to send him money.”
The commissioner said the suspect has been remanded at the Ogun state police command headquarters pending more investigation.
We use this opportunity to encourage any one with useful information about this man to come forward and we also encourage rape victims to always report rape cases to the ministry,” she added.
“The victims will undergo counseling to help ease this unimaginable trauma.We say no more victim shaming! And we promise to get justice for the victims.”
In a trending video online, the suspect, while responding to a question from the commissioner, said he had been having a conversation with the girls for a long time.
Condemning the incident in a statement shared on X, Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun, said rape is a criminal offence and must be eradicated from society.
“I want to assure you that the government and law enforcement agencies are committed to tackling this issue head-on and ensuring justice prevails,” Abiodun said.
“Our collective voice must resound in unison, condemning these acts and demanding justice for the victims.
“Rape is a criminal offence that leaves lasting scars on its survivors—physically, emotionally, and mentally.
“No individual should experience such trauma or live in constant fear of becoming a victim.
“Our law enforcement agencies have intensified their efforts to investigate instances of sexual assault and apprehend the culprits.”
When contacted, Omolola Odutola, police spokesperson in the state, also confirmed the incident.
