The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested an 80-year-old man for allegedly defiling a 10-year-old girl at Otuokpoti community in the Ogbia Local Government Area of the state.
Our correspondent learned from some gender advocacy groups including Dise Ogbise Foundation, Reigneth Foundation, Starrz Safety Initiative, and Collins Cocodia Foundation that indigenes of the community identified the suspect as a serial pedophile.
The suspect simply identified as Pa. Stephen was taken to the Divisional Police headquarters at Ogbia Town on the insistence of the gender advocacy groups.
But, the suspect was later transferred to the state police headquarters in Yenagoa on Tuesday.
A statement obtained by our correspondent from the gender advocacy groups on Wednesday disclosed that the foster mother of the victim said that she noticed that the girl was showing signs of illness and absent-mindedness while performing domestic chores.
The suspect was alleged to have been carrying out the dastardly act for about a year and neighbours told the victim’s foster mother that they had seen him giving some money to the young girl.
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The statement said: “Many of the neighbors warned the foster mother that they noticed that the elderly accused gave some money to the kid and warned the foster mother to be alert. They warned her that the elderly accused was a serial pedophile.
“On the fateful day, a concerned community member noticed the child entering the old man’s house on her way from school. She immediately raised an alarm and they forcefully rescued her. The victim admitted that the defilement started last year.”
Founder of the Dise Foundation, Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry, told newsmen that it took joint efforts of the gender advocacy groups to ensure the accused was arrested and remanded in police custody.
Dise said the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Bayelsa State Chapter, also assisted in providing support and examination but noted that she would also undergo a psychological examination.
According to her, the victim had been placed in protective custody under the Bayelsa State Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs.
She said, “Sadly, such is happening. It is a red flag to all of us.”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, was yet to confirm the development as he did not pick his calls or reply to a text message to that effect as of the time of filing this report.
