Bayelsa Pastor Arrested Over Alleged Def!lement of Two Girls in Church Choir

The case has renewed concerns about child protection and the responsibility of adults in positions of trust, including religious leaders, to ensure the safety of children under their care. In Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, a pastor now stands accused of abusing two girls who sang in his church choir.

The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Ambros Mark, 50, over the alleged sexual defilement of the two underage girls, aged 13 and 14.

The suspect was identified as a pastor at Point of Redemption Church International, located behind the Amarata area of Yenagoa. The two girls were reportedly members of the church choir. The victims are said to be a 13-year-old girl from Abia State and a 14-year-old girl from Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

A source familiar with the incident told our correspondent that the 14-year-old girl allegedly reported the matter to her father, a police officer attached to the state command, after objecting to the continuation of the alleged sexual act.

The father was said to have lodged a complaint with the police, leading to the suspect’s arrest last Saturday.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview.

He said the Divisional Police Officer of the ‘A’ Division acted promptly after receiving the complaint.

“Upon receipt of the complaint, the DPO of the ‘A’ Division swung into action and arrested the suspect.

“The suspect, upon arrest, confessed to the charge, and the division has been directed by the Commissioner of Police to transfer the case and the suspect to the State Police Headquarters for proper investigation and prosecution,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Saka Adewale, directed the transfer of the case and the suspect to the state police headquarters for further investigation and prosecution.

Residents also alleged that the pastor had previously been involved in inappropriate relationships with underage girls. The claims have not been independently verified.

It was further alleged that attempts had been made to settle the matter financially with one of the victims’ families. The effort reportedly failed after the parents of the 13-year-old girl declined to agree to the proposed arrangement. This allegation could not be independently verified.