crime

Bayelsa Pastor Arrested Over Alleged Sexual Abuse of Two Minors

Published

4 hours ago

October 28, 2026

Bayelsa police arrest a 50-year-old pastor over alleged defilement of two minors as FIDA calls for thorough investigation and child protection

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old pastor, Ambros Mark, over the alleged sexual defilement of two girls aged 13 and 14 in Yenagoa, the state capital.

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The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, confirmed the arrest, saying the Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, had ordered the transfer of the suspect and the case to the state police headquarters for further investigation and prosecution.

Mohammed said officers attached to the ‘A’ Division acted promptly after receiving a complaint about the alleged offence.

“Upon receipt of the complaint, the DPO of the ‘A’ Division swung into action and arrested the suspect,” the police spokesperson said.

He added that the suspect had reportedly confessed to the allegation following his arrest. The case is expected to undergo further investigation before prosecution.

Mark was identified as a pastor at Point of Redemption Church International, located behind the Amarata area of Yenagoa. The two girls were reportedly members of the church choir.

The victims were identified as a 13-year-old girl from Abia State and a 14-year-old from Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

According to a source familiar with the incident, the 14-year-old allegedly reported the matter to her father, a police officer attached to the state command, after objecting to the continuation of the alleged sexual act.

Her father reportedly 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. However, those claims have not been independently verified.

The report further alleged that attempts were made to resolve the matter financially with one of the victims’ families, but the effort reportedly failed after the parents of the 13-year-old declined the proposed arrangement. This allegation has also not been independently verified.

The arrest has drawn the attention of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Bayelsa State chapter, which called on the authorities to investigate the allegations thoroughly and protect the rights of the children.

The organisation’s state chairperson, Dr Boma Miebai, said FIDA was monitoring the case to ensure that the victims’ interests and rights were safeguarded.

She urged the relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation and ensure diligent prosecution in accordance with the law.

“We acknowledge the arrest of the alleged perpetrator and urge the relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the matter is diligently prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Miebai said.

She stressed that the children should be protected throughout the legal process and given access to appropriate legal and psychosocial support.

“As an organisation committed to the protection of women’s and children’s rights, FIDA Bayelsa will continue to advocate for the children’s safety, dignity, confidentiality and access to appropriate legal and psychosocial support,” she added.

Miebai also cautioned against attempts to protect individuals accused of sexual offences against children because of their religious positions.

“We reiterate that no religious title or position places anyone above the law. Our children deserve protection, and alleged sexual offences against them must never be concealed or trivialised,” she stated.

FIDA reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that the rights and best interests of the children remained central to the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.

Also read: Police Confirm Three Killed, Inspector Injured in Kebbi Violence

The police are expected to continue investigating the allegations before taking further legal action. The allegations against the suspect have not been determined by a court.

crime

Police Arrest Convicted Drug Dealer, Rescue 14-Year-Old Boy in Bauchi

Published

22 hours ago

October 27, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi drug dealer arrest leads to the rescue of a 14-year-old boy allegedly used as a drug courier and the recovery of suspected illicit substances

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer and rescued a 14-year-old boy who was allegedly being used to deliver illicit drugs in the state.

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The command said operatives of its Violent Crimes Response Unit intercepted the teenager during a routine patrol and recovered a granular whitish substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to Habib, the operatives, led by the unit’s officer-in-charge, intercepted the minor, identified as Samuel Nkemakolan Kosi, at about 11 am on October 26, 2026, while he was allegedly on his way to deliver the suspected drug, also known as Ice, to a customer.

The statement said the teenager told investigators that he had been sent by Samuel Ogochukwu, a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery.

“Upon interrogation, the minor confessed that he was sent by one Samuel Ogochukwu, 22 years old, a convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery,” Habib said.

Following the information, detectives traced Ogochukwu to his location and arrested him.

A search of the suspect’s shop and residence reportedly led to the recovery of 3.5 grammes of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine, 17 sachets of 100mg tramadol capsules, five sachets of 300mg pregabalin capsules and seven sachets of diazepam.

The police also recovered 12 Exol tablets, two wraps of a substance known as Yellow Boys and one sachet of Shine Shine Leather.

Habib said the principal suspect told investigators that he received supplies of illicit drugs through waybills from Onitsha, Anambra State.

The police spokesman added that the 14-year-old had been handled in accordance with juvenile best practices and would be reunited with his family after counselling.

“The 14-year-old minor has been handled in line with juvenile best practices and will be reunited with his family after counselling, while the principal suspect will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement said.

The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the operatives for their work and urged the public to remain alert to criminal activity.

According to Habib, the commissioner said four major drug busts and subsequent convictions recorded within 10 days demonstrated the command’s continued efforts to combat drug trafficking.