A 38-year-old cleric, whose name has been withheld, has been apprehended by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl during a supposed spiritual cleansing ritual. The suspect is a member of a branch of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ijebu Igbo.
According to CSP Omolola Odutola, the Command’s spokesperson, the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday. The cleric had convinced the victim’s mother, a member of his congregation, that her daughter needed a spiritual bath to prevent an impending calamity. The mother, trusting the cleric’s authority, allowed him to take her daughter to a riverbank for the ritual at 2:00 a.m. However, instead of performing the spiritual cleansing, the suspect allegedly took advantage of the minor and defiled her.
The victim’s mother reported the incident to the Ijebu Igbo Divisional Police Station, leading to the cleric’s arrest. CSP Odutola confirmed that the suspect is currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Odutola emphasized the importance of vigilance, especially when it comes to minors, and warned parents and guardians to protect their children from questionable individuals who exploit religious beliefs for financial gain. The victim has been referred to Medicare Hospital, Ijebu Igbo, for medical examination and treatment.
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