“Damilola and the lady were church friends. The lady had her birthday on Tuesday, July 19, and she invited all youths in the church who were her friends.

The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 31-year-old man, identified only as Damilola, for allegedly raping a 25-year-old woman on Omole Estate, in the Ojodu area of the state.

It was gathered that the victim and Damilola are members of a parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, and that the woman had invited the suspect to her birthday party on Tuesday, July 19.

According to reports, the victim was allegedly told by the suspect five days after the birthday party that he had a surprise gift for her.

The two were said to have gone to Damilola’s apartment on Otubor Street on Omole Estate.

A neighbour, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Damilola had failed to show up at the victim’s birthday party and allegedly lured her to his house a week later.

She said, “Damilola and the lady were church friends. The lady had her birthday on Tuesday, July 19, and she invited all youths in the church who were her friends. Damilola, however, did not come. He, thereafter, called her to apologise and promised to make it up.

“On the following Sunday, Damilola called her that he had set up a makeup party and that the two were going to a restaurant. However, he took her to his house in the estate, and locked her up. He beat her up and raped her.

“When the lady regained her freedom, she reported the matter at the police station. On Monday, she, accompanied by other church youth executive, went to the DSVRT office in Alausa to make another report.”