A 12-year-old girl in Lagos State has reportedly identified her neighbour as the man who allegedly raped her, despite his attempt to conceal his identity with a face mask.
The girl’s lawyer, Toyin Ndidi Taiwo, disclosed this in a Facebook post on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, saying the minor was able to recognise the suspect by a distinctive scar on his hand.
According to Taiwo, the suspect allegedly wore a nose mask during the incident in an attempt to prevent the girl from identifying him.
However, the lawyer said the scar on his hand helped the girl recognise him and assisted the investigation into the case.
Taiwo also commended the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja for what she described as diligent investigation of the case.
She wrote, “I was in court today to represent my 12-year-old client who was raped by a neighbour who deliberately wore a nose mask to disguise his face.
“Unknown to him, my client recognised a scar on his hand and that helped a lot in identifying him as the suspect.
“Kudos to the Gender Unit of the Nigeria Police, Lagos State Command, Ikeja, for the diligent efforts in investigating this case.”
The latest case highlights the role of detailed physical descriptions and other identifying features in investigations involving alleged sexual offences against children.
The identity of the minor has not been disclosed to protect her privacy, while the allegations against the suspect remain subject to due process.