Pastor arrested during church service for impregnating 13-year-old girl in Bayelsa

Wednesday, March, 4 2026 - The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a pastor and his wife in connection with the alleged r@pe of a 13-year-old girl in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The wife was arrested for allegedly paying N120,000 for an illegal abortion procured for the victim, who is said to be her cousin.

The arrest, carried out during a Sunday service, left the congregation in confusion. 

The pastor initially fled through the back door but later surrendered to the police after his wife was apprehended on the church premises. 

Eyewitnesses told journalists that the pastor allegedly abused the minor on multiple occasions — both on the church premises and at his home — before she became pregnant.

Members of the Women Against Gender-based Violence and Do Foundation, who confirmed the development to reporters, said an initial interview with the victim indicated that the abuse occurred five times from November 2025.

According to the advocacy group, the pastor allegedly took advantage of the girl on occasions when she came to the church to deliver a local bread known as Madiga to his wife. 

It was gathered that the mother, who confronted the pastor and the wife, was convinced by her sister not to destroy God's house and was reportedly handed N120,000 to procure an abortion for her child, which she did after a scan.

The problem started during one of the church service in which the accused pastor and his wife were heard on altar thanking God that they have defeated the enemies that are out to bring the husband and the church down.

Pained by the jubilation, the mother of the victim proceeded to Ekeki Police Division to file for an alleged case of r@pe and also contacted the complaint unit of the National Association of Women Against Gender based Violence led by Barr. Dise Ogbise Goddy Harry.

The State Commissioner of Police, Iyamah Daniel Edebor, who confirmed the development and assured that the Ekeki Division of the command has been directed to transfer the case to the Gender unit at the Police headquarters for proper investigation and prosecution.