The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old pastor, Ambros Mark, over the alleged defilement of two girls, aged 13 and 14, in Yenagoa.
The spokesperson for the command, DSP Musa Mohammed, who confirmed the incident to punch said the suspect confessed to the offence.
According to Mohammed, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, had directed the transfer of the case and suspect to the state police headquarters for further investigation and prosecution.
“Upon receipt of the complaint, the DPO of the ‘A’ Division swung into action and arrested the suspect,’ the PPRO said.
“The suspect, upon arrest, confessed to the charge, and the division has been directed by the Commissioner of Police to transfer the case and the suspect to the State Police Headquarters for proper investigation and prosecution.”
The suspect was identified as a pastor at Point of Redemption Church International, located behind the Amarata area of Yenagoa, where the two girls were reportedly members of the church.
The suspect has since locked his Facebook and church profile.
The victims are said to be from Abia State and Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
A source familiar with the incident told the publication that the 14-year-old girl allegedly reported the incident to her father, a police officer attached to the state command, after objecting to the continuation of the alleged sexual act.
The father was said to have lodged a complaint with the police, leading to the suspect’s arrest last Saturday.
Residents also alleged that the pastor had previously been involved in inappropriate relationships with underage girls.
They further alleged that attempts had been made to settle the matter financially with one of the victims’ families, but the effort reportedly failed after the parents of the 13-year-old girl declined to agree to the proposed arrangement.
