Peace Corps Officer Rapes Secondary School Student in Osogbo

An officer of Peace Corps of Nigeria, Imran Olalekan who is a security guard at Saint Charles High School, Osogbo has been arrested by the police for allegedly forcefully raping a 17-year-old Senior Secondary School 1 female student of the school.

Olalekan, a 24-year-old man allegedly raped the victim inside one of the offices allocated to PCN men working in the school and warned her not to tell anybody about the criminal act, saying that she would die if she does.

Narrating her ordeal in the hands of Olalekan, the female student said: “I was in school early with my friend. Mr. Olalekan made sign that one of us should come. Initially, I didn’t know I was being called. But he pointed at me and I went to him. He grabbed my dress. I wore a shirt on my school uniform and because of that, Olalekan threatened to punish me.

“I immediately knelt down and started begging him. He then pushed me inside their office. Because it was still early, no student was near the office. He asked me if I was a virgin or I owned a mobile. I told him I didn’t have a phone.

“Despite pleading with him to let me go, he pulled my skirt and blocked my mouth with his hands and raped me. When he finished, he warned that if I tell anyone, I would die.

“When he left me, I went home and told my parent what has happened. I am not his girlfriend. He raped me and nearly all of them (Peace Corps men) working in our school used to sleep with students. Though some girls befriend Peace Corp people without being forced.”

Responding to questions from newsmen, Olalekan said he was not a full member of Peace Corps yet but added he was posted to the school to learn from PCN members working in the school.

Though he initially denied raping the victim, claiming he only romanced her, he later admitted sleeping with her but not that he forced her into the act.

He said: “When I called her (the victim), I told her I loved her and she didn’t talk. I slept with her but I didn’t force her. She is not my girlfriend. This is the first time this would happen.”

Speaking with newsmen, the Police Public Relations Officer, Osun police command, DSP Folasade Odoro, said preliminary investigations revealed the suspect had intercourse with the victim.

She added that the suspect would be taken to court as soon as investigation into the crime is concluded.