Italian Police arrest 3 Nigerians, 2 others over alleged gang rape

Italian police have arrested five migrants, including three Nigerian nationals, in connection with the alleged abduction and gang rape of a Colombian tourist in a suburb of Rome.

According to authorities, the incident occurred near the Saxa Rubra transit station in northern Rome, where the 34-year-old woman was reportedly attacked while returning to her accommodation late at night.

Police said the victim was allegedly dragged into a secluded area near the station and assaulted for several hours before managing to escape and seek help from a passing public bus.

Emergency responders later transported the woman to a hospital in Rome, where she received medical treatment and support under the city’s sexual violence response protocol.

Investigators from the Rome mobile police unit launched an immediate investigation, using surveillance footage from the transit area alongside forensic evidence gathered at the scene to identify the suspects.

Authorities confirmed that the five suspects were arrested during coordinated raids carried out within 48 hours of the incident across areas including Saxa Rubra and Prima Porta.

Police said the suspects, aged between 22 and 31, are currently being held at Regina Coeli prison pending further legal proceedings.

According to preliminary findings, three of the suspects are Nigerian nationals, while the remaining two are from Morocco and Gambia respectively.

Italian authorities said some of the suspects were either undocumented or had expired residence permits, while one of the foreign nationals was reportedly under an existing expulsion order.

The case has intensified public debate in Italy over urban security, migration policies, and safety around transport hubs in Rome.

Residents and local committees have repeatedly raised concerns about deteriorating security conditions around some transit stations, particularly in poorly lit outskirts where criminal activities and illegal settlements have reportedly increased.

Prosecutors have charged the suspects with kidnapping, aggravated gang sexual assault, and causing bodily harm.

The Colombian consulate in Rome is also said to be providing legal and psychological support to the victim as investigations continue.