Serious allegations of repeated sexual abuse involving pupils aged four and six have emerged against a Local Education Authority (LEA) primary school in Gangare community, Plateau State, with parents and teachers accusing school authorities and community leaders of covering up the incidents.
According to reports, the alleged abuse has been occurring since 2024, with older male pupils and a young adult reportedly targeting younger children within the school premises.
Sources identified the alleged perpetrators as Mustapha, 15; Sinan, 14; and Mubarak, approximately 25.
A parent reportedly said the first case came to light in 2024 after a young pupil complained about an incident to his guardian, who subsequently reported it to the school management.
However, rather than referring the matter to the appropriate authorities, the school’s headmistress, identified as Mrs Mary, allegedly involved the community leader, who reportedly organised a meeting involving parents, school management and a police officer from the Gangare police outpost.
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Sources alleged that the meeting ended with an informal settlement and instructions that those involved should keep the matter secret to avoid damaging the school’s reputation.
A teacher claimed that Mustapha was expelled last year over similar allegations, while Sinan was reportedly expelled three weeks ago after being accused of abusing younger pupils.
According to the teacher, Sinan allegedly confessed to repeatedly abusing children in Nursery 1 and Nursery 2, claiming that he took them to the school toilet during break periods.
He reportedly mentioned other pupils in Primary 5 and Primary 6 as being involved in similar acts.
The teacher further alleged that another nursery pupil was abused about 10 days after the latest confession, suggesting that the incidents had continued despite earlier complaints.
Another community member accused the traditional leader of discouraging people from speaking publicly about the matter, claiming that the alleged silence had exposed more children to abuse.
A second teacher also confirmed that complaints had been made but alleged that staff were instructed not to report the incidents beyond the community leader’s office.
The report added that SaharaReporters contacted the headmistress, Mrs Mary, and the Plateau State Police Command spokesperson, Alfred Alabo, for comments, but neither responded to the enquiries.
Under Nigeria’s child protection laws, schools and individuals responsible for children have obligations to protect them and report suspected cases of sexual abuse to the appropriate authorities.
The allegations have raised concerns about child safety, inadequate supervision and the handling of sexual abuse complaints in schools.
The development comes weeks after a Lagos State High Court sentenced a former teacher, Nwatu Isaac, to life imprisonment for sexually abusing an eight-year-old pupil at El-Bossaa Nursery and Primary School in Epe.
Similarly, in October 2025, an FCT High Court sentenced a 19-year-old teacher, Abdullahi Abbass, to life imprisonment for sexually abusing a nine-year-old male pupil in Kwali Area Council.
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