By Sampson Boroh
The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a pastor and his wife for their alleged involvement in the rape and impregnation of a 13-year-old girl in the Ekeki area of Yenagoa, the state capital.
The suspects (name withheld) were arrested by operatives of the Ekeki Division of the State Police Command on Sunday.
The arrest, which was carried out during Sunday service, threw the congregation into confusion, with the accused pastor escaping through the back door but later submitted himself to the Police following the arrest of his wife.
It was learnt that the Pastor allegedly had canal knowledge of the victim in the Church premises and at his home. She was said to be the daughter of the wife’s cousin.
Also Members of the Women Against Gender based Violence and Do Foundation who confirmed the development to newsmen, reported that the initial interview with the victim showed that the rape occurred five times from November, 2025.
According to the advocacy group, the accused Pastor was alleged to have had canal knowledge of the girl while on errands to deliver the local bread known as Madiga to the Pastor’s wife.
According to the victim, “My mom asked me to deliver ‘Madiga’ to the Pastor’s wife, and she was not around. The pastor asked me to come inside and deliver it. He locked the church door and raped me. I screamed, but he didn’t stop.
“It happened five times on different occasions whenever my mom sent me to their house. I was afraid to tell my mom. Not until I could no longer see my monthly flow. I told my mom.”
It was gathered that the mother, who confronted the Pastor and the wife, was convinced by her sister not to destroy God’s house and was reportedly handed N120,000 to procure an abortion for her child, which she did after a scan.
It was, however, gathered that the problem started during one of the church services in which the accused pastor and his wife were heard on the altar thanking God that they had defeated the enemies that are out to bring the husband and the church down.
The Mother of the victim, after the church service, felt pained by the jubilation of the accused Pastor and his wife, and went to the Ekeki Police Division and filed an alleged rape case.
She also contacted the complaint unit of the National Association of Women Against Gender based Violence, headed by Barr. Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry.
A visit to the Ekeki Police Division showed a few church members present discussing the development, while our correspondent was directed to the office of the Police Public Relations Officer at the police headquarters.
But an officer at the Ekeki Division confirmed the arrest of the Pastor and his wife, saying, “The case will be handled, but if you want any information, you can reach out to the PPRO.”
Contacted on the development, the State Commissioner of Police, Iyamah Daniel Edebor confirmed the development and assured that the Ekeki Division of the command has been directed to transfer the case to the Gender unit at the State Police headquarters for proper investigation and prosecution.
