Ogbia, Bayelsa – Authorities in Bayelsa State have apprehended an 80-year-old man for allegedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in the Otuokpoti community of Ogbia Local Government Area.
According to local gender advocacy groups, the suspect, identified as Pa. Stephen, has been known in the community as a serial pedophile. Pa. Stephen, who is reported to be suffering from advanced pile and hernia, was taken into custody at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Ogbia Town on the insistence of the advocacy organizations.
The victim’s foster mother told reporters that she noticed the young girl exhibiting signs of illness and distraction while doing chores. It was later revealed that Pa. Stephen had been sexually abusing the child for about a year, often giving her small sums of money.
“Many of the neighbors warned the foster mother that they had seen the elderly man giving money to the child, and they advised her to be vigilant as he was known to be a serial pedophile,” a statement from the advocacy groups said.
On the day of the incident, a concerned community member reportedly saw the child entering Pa. Stephen’s house on her way home from school and immediately raised an alarm. The victim was then rescued, and she confirmed that the abuse had been ongoing since the previous year.
Dise Harry, the founder of the Dise Foundation, one of the advocacy groups involved, stated that it took a joint effort to ensure the suspect’s arrest and detainment. The Medical Women Association of Bayelsa State also provided medical and psychological support for the victim, who has now been placed in protective custody under the state government’s Ministry of Women Affairs.
“It is a sad situation, and it serves as a red flag for all of us,” Harry said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Musa Mohammed, is yet to officially confirm the incident.
