Police operatives in Abia State have arrested a 31-year-old student pastor, identified as Moses Ifeayichukwu Gabriel, for allegedly defiling a 15-year-old girl in Umuahia, the state capital.
The suspect, said to be a student of a theological institute in Umuahia, was arrested after the victim’s mother lodged a complaint with a local human rights group, Behind the Bars Defenders, which promptly reported the case to the police.
Confirming the arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Abia State Command, DCP Maureen Chinaka, said the matter was initially reported at the Ubakala Divisional Police Headquarters in Umuahia South Local Government Area before being transferred to the Gender Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
Chinaka said preliminary findings had been completed and that detectives were deepening the probe to ensure justice is served.
In a joint statement, the State Director and Public Relations Officer of Behind the Bars Defenders, Marvelous Ochiegbu and Nony Philip, said the victim’s mother approached the organisation after discovering her daughter had been sexually abused and infected by the suspect.
“Acting swiftly, the organisation reported the matter to the Divisional Police Officer, who ensured the prompt arrest of the suspect on November 6, 2025,” the group said.
The organisation condemned the incident, describing it as another tragic reminder of the growing menace of sexual and gender-based violence in society.
It called on the Abia State Government, security agencies, and religious institutions to strengthen child protection measures and ensure that perpetrators of sexual offences face the full wrath of the law.
“Religious platforms must never be used as cover for sexual exploitation or abuse. Children and vulnerable persons deserve protection, not predation,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the suspect remains in police custody as the Gender Unit of the State CID continues its investigation before arraignment in court.
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