Nigeria, June 28 -- A senior magistrate court in Minna has sentenced four men to a combined 95 years in correctional custody for the gang-rape of a 13-year-old girl in Kontagora, an incident that left the minor pregnant.

The convicts, Salisu Baura, Lawali Sha'ibu, Haruna Sa'idu, and Bello (surname not provided), all of Kontagora town in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State, were convicted on charges of joint act and unlawful sexual intercourse with a child.

Delivering judgement on Thursday, Senior Magistrate Christy Barau described the crime as "animalistic, inhuman, and heartless," noting the rising incidence of rape cases, particularly against minors, across the state and country.

She said the court could not afford to be l...