Former Adamawa North lawmaker, Senator Elisha Abbo, has been arrested and detained by the police over allegations of raping a 13-year-old in Abuja. Civil society groups demand justice as investigation deepens
Ex-Senator Elisha Abbo Arrested, Detained Over Alleged Rape of 13-Year-Old in Abuja
Former lawmaker representing Adamawa North, Senator Elisha Abbo, has surrendered himself to the Nigeria Police Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja following allegations that he raped a 13-year-old secondary school student.
According to the victim’s parents, the alleged assault occurred on June 29, 2025, at Abbo’s residence in Katampe, Abuja. They further alleged that after the incident, the former senator attempted to cover up the scandal by sending money to the victim’s father in exchange for silence.
In a shocking twist, the family also claimed that former Adamawa governorship candidate and senator, Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed (Binani), personally visited their home in an attempt to persuade them not to go public with the case.
Police sources confirmed that Abbo is being held at the FCID headquarters, where investigators are interrogating him over the grave allegations.
“The matter is under thorough investigation, and no stone will be left unturned,” a senior police officer at the FCID told reporters under condition of anonymity.
This is not the first time Abbo has been in the eye of controversy. In 2019, a viral video showed him assaulting a saleswoman at a sex toy shop in Abuja, sparking nationwide outrage and a Senate disciplinary probe. More recently, a married woman accused him of attempting to blackmail her with a sex tape, further damaging his reputation.
Civil society groups, women’s rights advocates, and child protection organizations have condemned the latest development, describing it as a test case for Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
The Executive Director of the Child Protection Network, Lagos Chapter, stressed:
“This case will prove whether justice in Nigeria can be blind to political influence. The police must not bow to pressure.”
Abbo, who lost his Senate seat in 2023 following a controversial court judgment, has remained in the headlines more for scandals than political contributions. His detention has already fueled heated debates on social media, with many Nigerians demanding a swift and transparent prosecution.
As of press time, neither Abbo nor his legal team has issued any official statement regarding the allegations.
