A 38-year-old cleric has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl under the guise of a spiritual cleansing ritual.
The suspect, who is a member of a branch of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ijebu Igbo, reportedly convinced the victim’s mother, a member of his congregation, that her daughter needed a spiritual bath to ward off an impending calamity. The mother, who trusted 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 arrest of the cleric. According to the police spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, the suspect is currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
“This incident highlights a disturbing level of neglect and lack of parental caution,” Odutola stated. “We urge parents and guardians to be vigilant and protect their children from questionable persons who exploit religious beliefs for financial advantage.”
The police have also referred the victim to Medicare Hospital in Ijebu Igbo for medical attention and evidence gathering.
