The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested an 80-year-old man for allegedly defiling a 10-year-old girl in the Otuokpoti community in the state’s Ogbia Local Government Area.
Gender advocacy groups such as the Dise Ogbise Foundation, Reigneth Foundation, Starrz Safety Initiative, and Collins Cocodia Foundation reported that the suspect had been identified as a serial paedophile by community members.
The culprit was simply described as Pa. Stephen, who is believed to be suffering from chronic pile and hernia.
He was transported to the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ogbia Town at the request of female advocacy groups.
However, it was gathered that the suspect was later moved to the state police headquarters in Yenagoa on Tuesday.
According to a statement from gender advocacy groups, the victim’s foster mother informed reporters that she noticed the girl’s illness and absent-mindedness while doing chores.
It was discovered that the defendant had been defiling the kid for about a year before neighbours informed the victim’s foster mother that they had witnessed him giving the little girl money.
The statement said, “Many of the neighbours 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 paedophile.
“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 an alarm, and they forcefully rescued her. The victim admitted that the defilement started last year.”
Dise Harry, founder of the Dise Foundation, told reporters that it needed the combined efforts of gender advocacy groups to get the accused arrested and placed in police custody.
Harry stated that the Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Bayelsa State Chapter, assisted in providing medical support and assessment, but she will also face a psychological examination.
According to her, the victim has been placed in protective care by the Bayelsa State Government via the Ministry of Women Affairs.
She said, “It is sad that such is happening. It is a red flag to all of us.”
At the time of filing this report, the Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, has yet to confirm the development, as he did not pick up calls or reply to a text message to that effect.
