A 38-year-old cleric has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl at Ijebu Igbo area of the state.
It was learnt that the minor was defiled under the guise of a spiritual cleansing ritual.
The suspect, whose name has been withheld, is a member of a branch of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ijebu Igbo.
This was contained in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, on Sunday, noting that the incident occurred in the early hours of the same day.
The cleric reportedly convinced the victim’s mother, a member of his congregation that her daughter needed a spiritual bath to avert an impending calamity.
The cleric however took the minor to a riverbank for the ritual at 2:00 am. Instead of performing the spiritual cleansing, the suspect allegedly took advantage of the minor and defiled her.
The distraught mother reported the incident to the Ijebu Igbo Divisional Police Station, prompting the arrest of the cleric.
CSP Odutola confirmed that the suspect is currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
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“The suspect exploited the trust of the victim’s mother and committed this heinous act under the guise of a spiritual exercise. We urge members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities, especially those involving minors.
“Upon receiving the report, officers from the Gender Department of the Ogun State Police Command swiftly arrested the suspect.
“The victim was however, referred to Medicare Hospital, Ijebu Igbo, where medical evidence is being gathered to aid the ongoing investigation,” Odutola said.
She noted that findings indicated a disturbing level of neglect and lack of parental caution as the victim’s mother had entrusted her child to the suspect without due diligence.
The police image –maker warned parents and guardians to protect their children from questionable persons, especially those who exploit religious beliefs for financial advantage.