The Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 45-year-old pastor, simply identified as Lucky, for allegedly defiling a 10-year-old girl in the Ihuaje community, Ahoada East Local Government Area.
The suspect, who is said to be a pastor of a new generation church and the proprietor of a private school in the area, was apprehended by operatives of the ONELGA Security Planning and Advisory Committee (OSPAC).
The arrest followed a tip-off and was carried out by OSPAC Commander, Precious Ihuruzu, who handed the cleric over to the Ahoada Police Division.
According to Dennis Otobo, a member of the Association Against Child Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, the victim had revealed to her parents during a visit that the pastor had been sexually assaulting her and allegedly offering her ₦500 afterward to keep silent. Shocked by the revelation, her parents immediately took her to a hospital, where a preliminary examination was conducted.
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Otobo, who was contacted by the state Ministry of Health’s gender desk, escalated the case to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), who coordinated the arrest on Sunday. Otobo praised the swift action of the Ahoada Police Division, OSPAC, and human rights advocate Prince Wiro, National Coordinator of the Centre for Basic Rights and Accountability Campaign.
Speaking to journalists, police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the arrest, noting that the command had received a complaint from the girl’s parents and worked with local vigilantes to detain the suspect. She assured the public that investigations were ongoing.
Human rights advocates are now calling for thorough investigations and swift prosecution to ensure justice is served.
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