Bayelsa Police ArrestPastor, 50, Over DefilementOf Two Minors

The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a 50-years-old Pastor, identified as Ambrose Mark over allegations of sexual abuse on two minors, ages 13 and 14 in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The suspect, according to the State Police Command, until his apprehension, was pastoring a church called “Point Of Redemption Church International” located in the Amarata area of Yenagoa metropolis, while the the two alleged victims were reportedly members of the church’s choir.

Further information from the State Police Command stated that the 13-years-old minor is from Abia State, while the 14-year-old is from the Ogbia Local Government Area of the State.

The Tide also gathered that the case came to the limelight after the 14-years-old girl reportedly objected to the alleged sexual advances and informed her father, a Police officer attached to the State Police Command, who subsequently reported the matter to the appropriate Police division which led to the arrest of the Pastor.

Meanwhile, inside sources alleged that the pastor had previously engaged in inappropriate relationships with underage girls, claims which the Police is still trying to unravel.

The Tide further learnt that attempts to resolve the matter through financial settlement failed after the parents of the 13-year-old minor reportedly declined to accept such an arrangement.

The incident, has since attracted condemnation from variouswomen’s rights groups that have called for a thorough investigation and the protection of the alleged victims.

The Tide also gathered that the Bayelsa State Chapter of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), through its Chairperson, Dr.BomaTonyeMiebai, and the founder of the “Do Foundation”, Dr.DiseOgbiseGoddy-Harry, confirmed the incident and condemned the alleged sexual abuse of the minors.

AriweraIbibo-Howells,

Yenagoa