Two Islamic clerics in Owo, Ondo State, have been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) over the alleged brutalisation of two minors entrusted to them for Islamic education.
The suspects, identified as Adebodun Muideen (30) of Al-balaagul-mubeen Arabic and Islamic Centre and Oladejo Musiliu (35) of Abdullah Arabic and Islamic Centre, were apprehended following a report by a child-rights group, Kids and Teens Resource Centre.
Confirming the arrests in a statement on Thursday, the State Public Relations Officer of the corps, Daniel Aidamenbor, on behalf of the State Commandant, Oluyemi Ibiloye, noted that the incident was reported on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, after a class teacher of the victims noticed multiple injuries on their bodies and alerted the advocacy group.
Aidamenbor said preliminary investigations showed that the children’s parents, who reside in Osun State, had sent them to Owo to study the Qur’an and other Islamic practices while still attending conventional schools.
“The victims were placed under the care of the clerics for religious instruction,” the statement said.
“However, trouble reportedly started when one of the minors returned home with a Vivo Android phone and could not give a convincing explanation of how he acquired it.
“During questioning, the second boy was implicated in the incident. In an attempt to reprimand them, the clerics allegedly used a heated cutlass on their backs and buttocks, inflicting deep wounds on them,” the NSCDC disclosed.
The corps described the act as “a total violation of the Child Rights Act and the Ondo State Child Protection Law.”
It added that the suspects had made confessional statements and would be charged to court.
“The clerics will be formally charged and prosecuted for offences bordering on assault and child abuse,” the statement said.
Aidamenbor warned religious institutions, parents and guardians against excessive and unlawful punishment of children.
“Acts of violence against children, no matter the justification, constitute criminal offences punishable under Nigerian law,” he said.
He commended the swift intervention of the Executive Director of Kids and Teens Resource Centre and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected cases of abuse.
“We call on everyone to be watchful and promptly report cases of child abuse to security agencies,” the corps added.
Fidelis David
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