The parents of a five-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted in the Anguwan Rogo community of Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, have accused police officers of demanding ₦50,000 to investigate the crime.

The victim’s parents stated they cannot afford the fee and fear that their inability to pay will allow the suspect to walk free.

The incident involving the minor, Hauwa’u Hayatu, occurred last Thursday. According to the victim’s mother, Suwaiba Iliyasu, the girl and her brother returned home from school with roasted groundnuts. When questioned about who gave them the treat, the five-year-old revealed that a neighbour, identified as Zubairu Ussaini, had taken her into a room and assaulted her.

“I asked her who gave her the groundnuts,” Iliyasu said. “She said our neighbour outside removed her trousers, beat her, and gave her the groundnuts. When asked further, Hauwa’u said that he took her to a room, removed his trousers and hers, and put her on his lap.”

The parents initially confronted the suspect, who denied the assault, claiming he only gave the children ₦200 to stop them from crying after he scolded them for playing.

The family reported the matter to the Anguwan Rogo Police Station. Following the advice of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), the girl was taken to a hospital, where medical doctors confirmed she had been defiled.

While the suspect was arrested and the case was escalated to the Plateau State Police Headquarters, the parents claim the investigation hit a wall when the file was transferred to the ‘A’ Division in Jos.
“At the Anguwan Rogo Police Division and at the Police Headquarters, nobody asked us to pay anything. But at ‘A’ Division, a female police officer told us we must pay ₦50,000 to open a file.” Hayatu Muhammad, Victim’s Father.

The father, a daily-wage earner, questioned the legality of the fee. “I go out daily to look for what my family will eat. I am not rich. How will I get the money? I asked the police what the money was meant for, and where the receipt was if payment was made. We argued, and I later told them that I don’t have the money and left.”

The family is appealing directly to the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, civil society organisations, and human rights advocates to intervene. They are calling for an immediate investigation into both the assault of their daughter and the alleged extortion attempt by the officers at the ‘A’ Division to ensure the suspect faces prosecution.

Speaking exclusively to Sports247 during the colourful appreciation ceremony held in honour of immediate past Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA), Ogun State Chairman Chief Olaseinde Bankole (Zico) at the Oba Moshood Alani Oyede Mini Stadium, Joju, Sango-Ota, Ogunbiyi paid glowing tribute to the veteran coach for supporting him at a crucial stage of his career.

“I really appreciate Coach Zico because he supported my career when I needed it most,” Ogunbiyi said.

The event, organised by the Leventis Joju Area Sports Committee, brought together football stakeholders, former internationals, coaches, and administrators to celebrate Bankole’s immense contributions to grassroots football development.

Reflecting on his international career, Ogunbiyi admitted that missing out on the Super Eagles was one of football’s realities, insisting that circumstances and connections often determine opportunities at the highest level.

“It’s a long story. Connections affect some good players from achieving their dream of representing the Super Eagles. Benin Republic appreciated my talent and welcomed me as family,” he explained.

The former midfielder traced his football journey from the grassroots in Ota, where he began his career before joining Indomie FC and later moving to Benin Republic to pursue professional football.

Ogunbiyi enjoyed a distinguished career, representing clubs including Enyimba FC, Étoile du Sahel, Guingamp, Nîmes, Paris FC, and USS Krake, winning trophies at virtually every club he played for.

“One unique thing about my career is that I won laurels with every club I represented,” he proudly stated.

The creative midfielder earned 47 international caps and scored six goals for Benin Republic between 1998 and 2019. He was also a member of the Benin squad that featured at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations, facing Nigeria during the tournament.

Asked where his loyalty would lie if Nigeria met Benin Republic in an AFCON final, Ogunbiyi gave an emphatic response.

“It will surely be Benin Republic. I played in three AFCON tournaments and faced Nigeria, even though we lost. My heart belongs to the Dahomey.”

He concluded by expressing gratitude for the love he received throughout his international career.

“I was loved for my creativity in Benin Republic, and the name Mouritala Ogunbiyi became everyone’s favourite.”

Ogunbiyi’s story remains a powerful reminder of how opportunity, recognition, and belief can shape the international careers of African footballers.