A pastor, Dozie Ezani, has been arrested in Anambra State for allegedly raping and impregnating a 16-year-old girl, in a case that has sparked outrage in the community.
Ezani, identified as the General Overseer of a church in Amichi, Nnewi South LocalGovernment Area, is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department following his arrest by operatives of astate-backed vigilante group.
The suspect was reportedly apprehended at his poultry farm in Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area, after security operatives
acted on intelligence over his alleged illici trelationship with the minor.
Spokesperson for the vigilante group, Karen James, disclosed that the arrest followed sustained surveillaner a security operative raised over suspicious movements involving the cleric and the teenager.
He alleged that investigations revealed the pastor repeatedly raped the girl at multiple locations, including his residence, church premises in Amichi and his farm in lgboukwu.
According to her, the victim was handed over.to the cleric by her aunt for what was described as “special deliverance” but was instead subjected to continuous sexual abuse.
“Following credible intelligence, our operatives stormed the location and arrested the suspect. Both the suspect and the victim were brought in for questioning before he was transferred to the SCID for further investigation.
“A security personnel from Igboukwu, where the latest incident occurred, brought in the report of the rape.
“The security personnel have been observing the pastor’s and the young girl’s suspicious movements before bringing the matter to SASA’s attention.
“On receiving the report, and after due intelligence gathering, SASA operatives stormed the church at Igboukwu, on Monday, to arrest the suspect, where he and the victim were brought to the SASA’s office,” Mr James narrated.
“During interrogation, the victim said she was formerly residing in Lagos, but her aunt brought her back and handed her over to the pastor for ‘special deliverance’, before the suspect started forcefully having sexual intercourse with her, leading to pregnancy.”
Th victim ( name withheld) while speaking to reporters at the SASA’s headquarters in Onitsha, narrated that the pastor began to rape her from November 2025 to date.
She said the pastor began to rape her immediately she arrived at his house for the “special deliverance.”
She recounted that the pastor repeatedly abused her at his church, farm, and residence before being rescued.
The victim admitted being pregnant, but stressed that she is uncertain of the pregnancy because she has been experiencing complications after consuming substances which the pastor gave her.
She appealed to the Anambra State Government, non-governmental organisations, and well-meaning individuals for medical assistance, expressing gratitude to SASA operatives for their intervention.
The suspect while speaking, admitted to raping the victim, according to a video clip, which the vigilante group recorded.
The video was recorded during the vigilante group’s briefing to reporters about the incident.
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