The Police in Nigeria have arrested a clergyman identified as Timothy Adedibu for allegedly defiling a nine-year-old girl in Magboro, Obafemi Owode.
Local news website PUNCH Online reportd on Sunday that the incident happened on February 15 after the uncle of the survivor raised the alarm over the incident.
The police said the 65-year-old suspect was believed to be the leader of a church in the community. The family of the survivor told the police that the clergyman was said to have lured the minor into his apartment at some point and had carnal knowledge of her.
The state police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, who spoke with PUNCH Online on Sunday, confirmed the incident and noted that the investigation was ongoing.
She said, “The pastor has been arrested. The family was issued forms to allow the survivor to have a medical examination and treatment. All the parties will be transferred to the headquarters for further investigation.”
Similarly, the command has arrested another suspect identified as Prince Dara for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl in Abolaniyi Street, Idorawa, via Idi-Oke in the state.
According to reports, the incident happened on February 8, 2024.
The police said the survivor, identified simply as Odede, accused the suspect of luring her into his house on February 7 after he had seized her bag that contained her mobile phone and other personal effects.
The police added that the suspect threatened the survivor with a knife and raped her multiple times before he finally freed her.
Speaking about the incident, Odutola said the surveillance teams were immediately mobilised to the scene, adding that the ”entire area was combed for useful information, and the suspect was apprehended and brought to the station for questioning.
“The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. The case file and parties involved will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in Abeokuta for discreet investigation.”
