Cleric and Spouse Detained Over Allegations of Minor's Sexual Assault

The police from the Ekeki Division in Bayelsa State have taken into custody a pastor and his wife on allegations concerning the sexual exploitation of a 13-year-old girl in Yenagoa.

Bayelsa's Commissioner of Police, Iyamah Edebor, confirmed the arrest to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

It was reported that the apprehension unfolded during a Sunday service, leading to some chaos as the pastor attempted to escape through a side entrance.

The case has since been handed over to the Gender Unit at the police headquarters for thorough investigation and potential legal action.

According to sources, after his wife's arrest, the pastor eventually made himself known at the police station.

Eyewitnesses alleged that the incidents transpired within the church premises as well as at the couple's residence.

The victim is identified as the daughter of the pastor's wife's cousin. She alleged that she experienced the assaults while being tasked with delivering local bread, locally referred to as "madiga," to the pastor's wife.

The girl described, "My mother sent me to give 'madiga' to the pastor's wife, but she wasn’t there. The pastor invited me inside and locked the church door. I screamed, but he didn’t stop. This happened five times whenever my mother sent me to their home. I was too scared to inform her. I disclosed everything only when I missed my period and couldn’t disguise it anymore."

When the girl's mother confronted the pastor and his wife, a relative advised her against taking action that might 'damage the church's reputation.' It has been reported that the victim’s mother was given N120,000 to facilitate an abortion after it was confirmed through a medical scan that she was pregnant.

Tensions escalated during a church service when the couple expressed gratitude for overcoming what they viewed as personal adversaries. The victim’s mother, also a church member, found the couple's remarks offensive and subsequently reported the matter to the Ekeki Police Division.

Additionally, she filed a complaint with the National Association of Women Against Gender-Based Violence, which is headed by Dise Goddy-Harry.

On Monday at the Ekeki Police Division, several church members were observed discussing the incident quietly.