An investigation by DevReporting has shed light on the harrowing reality of child sexual abuse in Lagos, Nigeria, detailing the deep scars left on victims and exposing systemic failures within the justice system, particularly the pervasive issue of extortion by security operatives. While the first part of the investigation brought forth personal accounts, this second part delves into stark statistics and the challenging journey victims and their families face in seeking justice.

Investigations by DevReporting have revealed grim statistics of sexually abused children in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital. According to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT/DSVA), a government agency coordinating responses to sexual molestations and child abuse, the state recorded 4,302 cases of domestic and sexual violence in 2020, with children accounting for 1,718 of these, including 109 cases of defilement. In 2021, 3,943 cases were reported, 1,222 involving children, with 172 defilement cases. The numbers surged in subsequent years: 5,929 cases in 2022 (2,486 involving children, 230 defilement), 6,389 cases in 2023 (2,576 involving children, 263 defilement), and 6,456 cases in 2024 (2,531 involving children, 223 defilement). The Lagos State Police Command Gender Unit reported 398 cases of child sexual abuse between 2020 and 2024, including 50 cases of rape and 280 of defilement. The police confirmed 415 suspects were arrested and 408 cases prosecuted during this period, though specific conviction numbers were not provided.

Lagos stands as one of the few Nigerian states with a structured framework for addressing domestic and sexual violence and safeguarding child rights, primarily through the DSVA. DevReporting found that the state provides financial support to the police gender unit, which coordinates gender-based desks across various police divisions. There are 21 Family Support Units (FSUs) handling such cases, while divisions without FSUs rely on Juvenile, Women and Children (JWC) units or Human Rights units. The FSUs are located in areas such as Adeniji Adele, Ajah, Ikeja, Ikorodu, and Surulere. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, DSVA Executive Secretary, stated the agency provides monthly financial support to the police to aid investigations and ensure swift court charges, though she did not disclose the specific amount. Toyin Kazeem, an Assistant Commissioner of Police and head of the Ikeja Police Gender Unit, confirmed receiving support from DSVA and other entities like the Lagos State First Lady’s office, Cece Yara Foundation, Ministry of Youth and Social Development (MYSD), and the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. This support, she noted, could also be non-monetary, such as access to external shelters from MYSD and a van donation from the Police Trust Fund for logistics. Survivors are referred to medical facilities like Mirabel Centre and WARIF, where services are free for SGBV cases.

Despite significant budget allocations to the DSVA, accountability remains a concern. A review of budget estimates from 2020 to 2024 shows a substantial increase in DSVA's funding, particularly after its establishment as an independent agency in 2022. Overhead costs rose from N8 million in 2020 and 2021 to N480.8 million in actual expenditure in 2022, reaching N472.8 million in 2024. Capital expenditures also saw increases. However, the agency failed to provide DevReporting with a breakdown of specific line items, making it impossible to verify how much of these funds were directly channeled to support survivors or police gender units.

A startling revelation of the investigation is the persistence of extortion at police stations, despite the reported streams of support. An undercover reporter, posing as a victim's family member, visited several police stations. At Gowon Estate Police Station, Officer Oyin of the JWC unit demanded N5,000 for