Police authorities in Bayelsa State have arrested an 80-year-old man, Pa Stephen, for allegedly defiling a 10-year-old girl in Otuokpoti community in Ogbia LGA.
Police spokesman in the state, ASP Musa Muhammed, who confirmed the arrest, said the suspect, victim and case file had been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
It was gathered that the arrest was effected following a report filed by some gender advocacy groups in the state, including Dise Ogbise Foundation (Do Foundation), Reigneth Foundation, Starrz Safety Initiative and Collins Cocodia Foundation, after some indigenes of the community drew their attention to the activities of the suspected pedophile.
The foster mother of the victim, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told newsmen that she noticed that the girl was showing signs of sickness and became absent minded when carrying out domestic chores.
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She further said, “Many of my neighbours warned me that they noticed that the accused gave some money to the kid and warned her not to alert anyone. They told me that the man was a serial pedophile.
“On the fateful day, a concerned member of the community noticed the child entering the old man’s house on her way from school. She immediately raised alarm and they rescued her. The victim admitted that the defilement started since last year.”
Speaking on the incident, the founder of Dise Foundation, Dr Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry, told newsmen that it took a joint effort of the advocacy groups to ensure the accused was arrested.
She said that the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Bayelsa State chapter, assisted by providing medical support and examination, adding that the victim was in protective custody of the state government through the Ministry of Women Affairs.
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