16-Year-Old Alleges Repeated Rape by Pastor During ‘Deliverance’ in Anambra

A 16-year-old girl, Precious Okafor, has accused a pastor, Evangelist Dozie Ezani, of repeatedly raping her during a so-called “special deliverance” in Amichi, Anambra State.

The teenager spoke at the Onitsha office of the Anambra State Special Anti-Touting Squad Agency (SASA) after she was rescued from the suspect.

Precious, a native of Amichi in Nnewi South Local Government Area, said she had been living in Lagos where she was schooling in SS1 before her aunt brought her back to the village in November 2025.

She said her aunt told her guardians in Lagos that a pastor had revealed she was possessed by “seven marine spirits” and needed urgent spiritual intervention at his church, Jesus Is Ontop Ministry in Amichi.

According to her, she was taken to the pastor’s residence at night and handed over to him, after which her aunt left.

She alleged that on the first night, while she slept in the same room with the pastor’s children, he came in and began touching her inappropriately, but she resisted and pushed him away. She added that she later overheard his wife asking where he had been, to which he responded that he was checking on the children.

The following day, she said she was taken to the church for the deliverance session, where the pastor allegedly attempted to force himself on her at the altar, but she resisted.

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Precious further alleged that she was subsequently starved for days, leaving her weak, after which the pastor overpowered her and began to have sexual intercourse with her.

She said the abuse occurred multiple times at the church and at the pastor’s poultry farm in Igboukwu, a neighbouring community in Aguata Local Government Area.

The victim alleged that the pastor deliberately isolated her by telling others to stay away from her, claiming she was possessed, and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the abuse to anyone, including his wife.

She said she had no access to a phone and could not reach her aunt, who never checked on her after leaving her in the pastor’s care.

Her ordeal came to an end about two weeks ago when SASA operatives arrested the pastor at his poultry farm following a tip-off from a community security official who had been monitoring his movements.

Precious said the operatives, numbering over 10, arrived at the farm, questioned both of them, and took them to their office in Onitsha.

She disclosed that she is currently experiencing bleeding, which she attributed to herbal concoctions allegedly given to her by the pastor in an attempt to terminate a suspected pregnancy. She said she was not taken to a hospital.

She appealed to authorities for urgent medical attention and expressed gratitude to the operatives for rescuing her.

“I had been enduring unimaginable suffering before I was rescued,” she said.

Meanwhile, the suspect, Evangelist Dozie Ezani, admitted to having sexual relations with the minor but blamed his actions on “the devil’s handiwork.”

He said the girl was initially returned to her aunt after a deliverance session but was later brought back when the aunt allegedly refused to keep her, describing her as difficult to manage.

The cleric said it was after she returned to his residence that he began having “inappropriate knowledge” of her.

When asked if he considered her age, he said he did not know what came over him.

He also admitted giving her a herbal mixture made from bitter leaf and other substances, claiming it was meant to treat a medical issue she complained about and to terminate a suspected pregnancy to avoid public shame.

Ezani, who said he is married with children, stated that his wife resides in Igboukwu where she manages his poultry farm.

He added that he was arrested at the farm and taken to the SASA office in Onitsha before being transferred to the State  Criminal Investigation Department in Awka.

16-Year-Old Alleges Repeated Rape by Pastor During ‘Deliverance’ in Anambra

Zulum Donates N50m to Family of Slain Army Officer in Borno Attack

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has donated N50 million to the family of the late Lt. Col. OC Okolo, who was killed during a Boko Haram attack in Mandaragirau, Biu Local Government Area of Borno State.

The attack, which occurred on February 16, 2026, was attributed to insurgents linked to Boko Haram operations in the North-East, an area that has remained a major theatre of Nigeria’s counterterrorism campaign.

The donation was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Dauda Illiya, who said the support reflects Zulum’s continued commitment to families of fallen security personnel.

According to the statement, the governor reiterated that his administration would continue to stand by the families of officers and soldiers who lost their lives in defence of the country.

He also noted that the state government would maintain regular visits and support for families of personnel killed or declared missing in ongoing counter-insurgency operations across the region.

On April 10, 2026, Zulum, represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Brig. Gen. Abdullahi Sabi Ishaq (retd.), presented the donation during a memorial service held in Obinofia Ndiuno, Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

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The gesture, according to the government, forms part of broader humanitarian and welfare support programmes for families of fallen soldiers and those wounded in action during military operations in the North-East.

Zulum expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased officer, describing Lt. Col. Okolo as a “gallant, dedicated and committed officer whose sacrifices for national security will not be forgotten.”

“My heartfelt condolences to the immediate family, friends and colleagues of Lt. Col. OC Okolo on his painful demise,” the governor said.

He prayed for the repose of the officer’s soul and asked God to grant the family strength to bear the loss.

In response, a representative of the family, Prof. Stanley Okolo, expressed appreciation to the Borno State Government for the financial support and solidarity shown during their period of grief.

The family also commended the delegation sent from Maiduguri to attend the funeral service on short notice, describing the gesture as deeply comforting.

The funeral was attended by senior military officers and representatives, including officials from the Nigerian Army and Operation HADIN KAI, alongside members of the local community and military welfare organisations.

Borno State remains one of the most affected regions in Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency, with repeated attacks on military formations and civilian communities despite ongoing counterterrorism operations.

Zulum has consistently combined governance with humanitarian interventions, providing financial support, resettlement assistance, and welfare packages for both civilians and security personnel affected by the conflict.

Zulum Donates N50m to Family of Slain Army Officer in Borno Attack

INEC Denies Viral X Claim Alleging Amupitan Endorsed Partisan Post

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed reports circulating on social media that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, endorsed a partisan post on X (formerly Twitter), describing the claim as false, misleading, and malicious.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman’s Chief Press Secretary, Adedayo Oketola, the Commission said the allegation is part of a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at undermining the credibility and neutrality of Nigeria’s electoral umpire.

INEC stated that the viral claim suggesting that the Chairman previously endorsed political content on X is “entirely baseless and a fabrication designed to mislead the public.”

The Commission further clarified that Prof. Amupitan does not operate any personal account on X or any other social media platform and has never engaged in partisan political commentary in either private or official capacity.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the INEC Chairman does not own or operate any personal account on X. He has at no time engaged in partisan commentary or associated himself with any political activity,” the statement said.

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INEC warned that the alleged post was deliberately fabricated to impugn the integrity and neutrality of the electoral body, especially at a sensitive time when public trust in electoral institutions remains critical.

The Commission also raised concerns over the increasing use of fake social media accounts impersonating its leadership to spread false information and defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

According to the statement, several impersonation accounts have already been identified and reported to security agencies for investigation and prosecution under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.

“We are aware that cybercriminals have been using fake accounts in the Chairman’s name to defraud Nigerians. These accounts have been reported to security agencies for appropriate action,” the Commission said.

INEC emphasized that it is working closely with relevant security agencies to track down those responsible for identity theft and the dissemination of forged statements online.

It warned that perpetrators of such acts will face prosecution, stressing that misinformation targeting the electoral body undermines democratic stability.

The Commission urged the public to rely only on official and verified communication channels for accurate information, reiterating its commitment to transparency and credible elections.

INEC added that it remains focused on its constitutional mandate and will not be distracted by what it described as “baseless online propaganda.”

INEC Denies Viral X Claim Alleging Amupitan Endorsed Partisan Post