The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 45-year-old pastor, identified simply as Pastor Lucky, over the alleged defilement of a 10-year-old girl in the Ihuaje community, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The arrest was made by operatives of a local security outfit known as the ONELGA Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC), led by its Ahoada East commander, Precious Ihuruzu, who responded swiftly upon receiving a report of the incident.
Pastor Lucky, who heads a branch of a new-generation church in the area and also runs a private school in the community, was handed over to the Ahoada Police Division for further investigation.
Speaking on the incident, Dennis Otobo, a member of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, said he was contacted by the gender desk of the Rivers State Ministry of Health to follow up on a suspected case of child abuse.
According to Otobo, his investigation revealed that the pastor had been sexually abusing the minor, who was in his care. The abuse came to light when the girl’s parents visited her and she confided in them, revealing that the pastor had been giving her ₦500 each time to keep silent about the acts.
Following the disclosure, the parents took the child to the hospital for a preliminary medical examination. Otobo subsequently contacted the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), who promised to handle the case professionally. The suspect was later taken into custody by the police.
Otobo commended the collaborative efforts of the DPO of Ahoada Police Division, the Chief Security Officer of Ahoada East, Hector Ekeakita, OSPAC, and human rights advocate Prince Wiro, the National Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights and Accountability Campaign.
He called on the police to carry out a thorough investigation and, if the suspect is found guilty, ensure that he is charged and prosecuted in court.
Confirming the arrest, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said, “Yes, I can confirm his arrest. The pastor is currently in our custody. We received a complaint from the girl’s parents, and our officers, in collaboration with the local vigilante group, effected the arrest. Investigation is ongoing.”
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