The preacher was detained by the Rivers State Police Command for allegedly defiling and getting pregnant a 15-year-old girl in the Emohua Local Government Area of the state.
It was learned that the 45-year-old pastor, who went by the name Piler Erekwa, was detained as a result of a complaint made by the teen’s in-law, Amesi ThankGod.
According to Mr. ThankGod, the victim and her mother were members of Pastor Piler’s place of worship, Gracious Covenant Church.
He revealed that up until they detected some odd behavior from her, the girl would frequently go to church to pass the time while her mother was at the farm.
ThankGod said, “If her mother goes to the farm, the girl normally goes to the church to relax and returns in the evening.
“Then in the last few days, the girl started vomiting. My wife (her elder sister) took her for a medical examination. The result shows she is pregnant.”
ThankGod said the cleric had reportedly threatened to kill the teenager if she spill the beans.
He, however, said following the discovery, the girl’s elder sister took her to Pastor Pillar, who reportedly admitted that he was responsible for the pregnancy.
ThankGod revealed that the pastor pleaded with the girl’s sister to allow him to get rid of the pregnancy, but the family objected to it.
ThankGod said, “But he (pastor) said they should give her some drugs to flush the pregnancy so that the girl will be free.
“But if we allow that, the girl may die and we have ourselves to blame.”
He said the matter was reported to a vigilante group who in turn handed over the suspect to the Rumuji Police Division in EmuohaEmuoha and was taken into custody.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the state Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.
“Yes, we are aware of the incident. The suspect has been arrested and the investigation is ongoing,” she said.
