Attahiru committed the act in his apartment at Mobil area of Minna, the state capital at the weekend.
He was arrested and detained at the Paiko road police station, but was reportedly transferred to the state Police Headquarters for more interrogation.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Bala Elkana, while parading the suspect before newsmen on Thursday at the Police Headquarters in Minna, advised parents and guardians not to leave their wards where they could not guarantee their safety.
The PPRO said the suspect was subsequently handed over to the Women and Child Protection Unit of the Police Command.
"Investigation into the case has commenced and the law must take its course," the PPRO added.
Meanwhile, an eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told newsmen that Attahiru raped the toddler when she was left sleeping on her mother's bed, after the mother had gone to the market.
The eyewitness said, "Unknown to the woman that her neighbour had ulterior motive towards her baby, as soon as the woman left, Adebayo Attahiru sneaked into the room where the baby was sleeping and forcefully had sex with her.
"The cry of the little girl attracted other neighbours to the room where they met the girl in pain and blood splashed all over the room.
"Before neighbours could get to the room, the suspect ran away but neighbours caught him and handed him to the police."
