The Nigerian Police have cleared former Senator representing Adamawa North, Ishaku Abbo, of allegations of raping a minor, stating that investigations found no credible evidence to support the claim.
In a statement released to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, authorities said Abbo was exonerated following a thorough investigation ordered by the Inspector-General of Police, in response to a petition submitted in 2025.
The petition, filed by Mrs. Zainab Mohammed in September 2025, accused Abbo of allegedly raping Khadija Mohammed at his Katampe Extension residence in Abuja on June 29, 2025.
Four specialised police units—the Force Criminal Investigation Department Gender Unit, the National Cybercrime Centre, the Intelligence Tactical Unit, and the Medical Unit were tasked with investigating the allegation.
A report signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Oki Rita Oyintare and dated October 23, 2025, concluded that the essential elements of the alleged offence were lacking. “After an extensive investigation, it was discovered that the essential elements of this offence are absent due to the time lapse between the alleged incident and the report to police,” the report stated.
The report highlighted that the alleged survivor was taken to Deda Hospital by her parents on July 10, 2025, while the case was only reported to the police on September 15, 2025. Medical records indicated that the girl’s hymen was intact, showing she remained a virgin as of July 10, 2025, about 11 days after the alleged incident.
Investigators also noted that attempts to preserve data from Nafisa Mohammed’s phone failed, as the device was not submitted for forensic analysis and was later reset. Witness accounts, including that of Patience Jesse, who opened the door on June 29, stated that no sexual assault occurred.
The report further noted that only three people—Patience Jesse, Nafisa Mohammed, and Abbo—were present in the house at the time of the alleged incident, and all denied any wrongdoing. A search of Abbo’s residence on October 3, 2025, yielded no incriminating evidence, and medical tests for hepatitis B and C, syphilis, and HIV returned negative results.
When contacted, Abbo declined to comment extensively but said, “God will expose all evil plans against me and reward the doers according to their deeds.”
In October 2025, Abbo dismissed reports claiming his arrest over the alleged rape as “a smear campaign by political enemies.”
Abbo was first elected to the Senate in 2019 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2020. He was re-elected in 2023 but later removed by the Court of Appeal, which declared PDP candidate Amos Yohanna as the duly elected senator for Adamawa North.
