Edo Police Arrest Cleric Over Alleged Abduction, Sexual Abuse Of Five Girls

Edo Police Arrest Cleric Over Alleged Abduction, Sexual Abuse Of Five Girls

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old self-styled prophet, Nicholas Nusa, over the alleged abduction and sexual abuse of five girls in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state.

Nusa, identified as the overseer of Divine Grace Church along Imoga Road, Ibillo, was arrested following information received by the police about the alleged disappearance and abuse of the girls.

According to the police, the five girls were allegedly taken from communities around Ibillo and Imoga at different times between September 2025 and April 2026 and kept at the suspect’s residence.

The command said the girls were allegedly subjected to sexual abuse while in the residence, with one of the victims, a 15-year-old girl, becoming pregnant during the period.

The latest police account said the teenager later went into early labour and underwent surgery. She subsequently lost the baby, according to the command.

The development was disclosed by the police spokesperson, ASP Eno Ikoedem, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, during a briefing on the command’s recent operations in the state.

The police said the investigation began after information about the alleged activities was received on September 12, 2026, leading to the arrest of Nusa.

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The command said the suspect allegedly made statements during interrogation, but the allegations against him remain subject to investigation and judicial determination.

Police authorities also said the five girls have been reunited with their respective families following their recovery.

The identities of the girls have not been released, reflecting the need to protect the privacy and welfare of minors involved in an alleged sexual abuse and child protection case.

The police have not publicly disclosed the precise circumstances under which each of the girls allegedly came into Nusa’s residence, whether their families knew they were there or whether other people were involved in their alleged movement and abuse.

Those issues are expected to form part of the ongoing investigation.

The police are also expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s pregnancy, the alleged abuse and the events leading to the loss of her baby.

Nusa remains an accused person and has not been convicted of any offence. The allegations against him will have to be established before a court.

The case forms part of a series of child abuse and sexual violence investigations recently announced by the Edo State Police Command.

In a separate case, the command also announced the arrest of Kadiri Edenokun, 57, over the alleged defilement of his six-year-old stepdaughter in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area.

Police said the six-year-old victim was receiving medical care under the supervision of the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs, while the suspect remained in custody for investigation.

The two cases are separate and should not be treated as part of the same investigation.

The police also reported the arrest of a 23-year-old man in another case involving the alleged defilement of an eight-year-old girl. That matter was reportedly transferred to the Gender and Family Support Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The cases have renewed attention on the vulnerability of children to abduction, sexual violence and exploitation, particularly where minors are placed in the care or custody of adults outside their immediate families.

The Edo Police Command urged parents, guardians and members of the public to promptly report cases involving missing children or suspected abuse to law-enforcement authorities.

Commissioner of Police Patrick Daaor said the command would continue to take action against individuals suspected of committing crimes against children and other vulnerable persons.

The investigation into the alleged abduction and sexual abuse of the five girls is continuing, while the police are expected to forward the case for prosecution after concluding their investigation.

Edo Police Arrest Cleric Over Alleged Abduction, Sexual Abuse Of Five Girls