A 37-year-old pastor in Nasarawa State has been arrested for allegedly defiling a 16-year-old girl after luring her to a hotel under the guise of performing a spiritual cleansing to rid her of “possession.”
Operatives of the Nasarawa State Police Command have apprehended Asonye Isaiah, a 37-year-old pastor, for the alleged defilement of a 16-year-old girl in the Karshi area of the state. The suspect, who oversees the Rock of Love and Adoration Ground in Old Karshi, was taken into custody following a formal complaint lodged at the Karshi Divisional Police Headquarters on April 18, 2026. Preliminary investigations revealed that Isaiah allegedly deceived the victim’s aunt by claiming the teenager was “possessed” by malevolent spirits and required a specialized ritual cleansing at a nearby river to secure her spiritual deliverance.
The police report indicates that instead of proceeding to the river as promised, the suspect took the girl to a hotel located in New Karshi, where he allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of her on two separate occasions. To ensure her silence, the pastor reportedly threatened the victim’s life, warning that he would kill her if she disclosed the ordeal to any family members or authorities. The alleged crime only came to light when the girl’s guardian noticed significant and unusual changes in her demeanor, eventually prompting a confession that led to the suspect’s immediate identification and arrest.
Following the report, the victim was taken for a comprehensive medical examination, which authorities confirmed showed clear evidence of penile penetration. The Nasarawa State Police Command has assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway to ensure the matter is prosecuted to the full extent of the law. This incident has sparked renewed calls from local human rights advocates for stricter oversight of religious leaders and more robust protection for vulnerable minors against predatory practices disguised as spiritual interventions.
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