Teacher Jailed for Life for Raping 9-Year-Old Pupil in Abuja

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has sentenced a 19-year-old teacher, Abdullahi Abbass, to life imprisonment for raping his nine-year-old pupil. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) hailed the conviction as a major win in its fight against sexual violence.

According to NAPTIP, Abbass, who worked in a private school in the Kwali Area Council, lured the victim after school hours on March 19, 2025, and raped him through the anus. The agency said the convict was the class teacher of the victim and had sent another pupil to call the victim from their home before committing the heinous act.

The victim reported the incident to his mother, leading to Abbass’ arrest and prosecution. He was arraigned on two counts of rape and sexual abuse and was convicted on October 29, 2025, under Section 2 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, which prescribes life imprisonment.

NAPTIP’s Director-General, Binta Adamu Bello, commended the judiciary and partners for their role in securing the conviction, saying it was a landmark judgment that would serve as a deterrent. She also praised the Nigerian Police for their collaboration and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to tackling rape and other forms of sexual violence across the country.

Abbass’ name will feature prominently in NAPTIP’s Sex Offenders Register.