A 31-year-old student of a theological institution in Umuahia South LGA of Abia State has been arrested by the police for allegedly defiling a 15-year-old girl.
The suspect, identified as Pastor Moses Ifeayichukwu Gabriel, was apprehended with the assistance of Behind Bars Defenders, Abia State office.
It was also alleged that the victim became infected after the incident.
The development was confirmed by Abia State Director of Behind Bars Defenders, Ochiegbu Marvelous, and the organization’s Public Relations Officer, Nony Philip, in a press statement.
According to the statement, the Pastor’s actions were reported to Behind Bars Defenders by the mother of the victim.
“Acting swiftly, the organization reported the matter to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ubakala Division, Abia State, who ensured the suspect’s prompt arrest on November 6, 2025.
“Following his arrest, Pastor Gabriel was transferred to the Gender Desk Unit, State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Umuahia, for proper investigation and prosecution,” the group said.
Behind Bars Defenders condemned in strong terms all forms of defilement, rape, child abuse, and sexual exploitation, calling on the Abia State government, law enforcement agencies, religious institutions, and the general public to intensify efforts to protect children and vulnerable persons from sexual and gender-based violence.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer of Abia State Police Command, DSP Maureen Chinaka, confirmed that the incident was reported to the Ubakala Police Divisional Station.
The PPRO stated that a preliminary investigation had been conducted and that the case had been transferred to the Gender Section at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where further investigations are ongoing.
