A 28-year-old man, Bethel Samuel, who is an aide to a new generation church pastor, has been arrested by security operatives from Rumuolumini Police Station for defiling a three-year-old girl.
Samuel allegedly had forcefully carnal knowledge of the toddler when his pastor sent him on an errand to get some money the pastor forgot at home.
The suspect, who confessed to the crime, told newsmen on Wednesday that he did not know what came over him before he held the girl and defiled her.
Blaming his act on the devil, Samuel explained that he committed the crime on Saturday after he failed to find his pastor’s money in the pastor’s room.
His victim, according to him, is the daughter of one of the pastor’s neighbours in Rumuonumini in Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State.
Bethel said, “I am the personal assistant to my pastor. We were organising our crusade, going out to paste crusade posters when my pastor called me to say he forgot something at home.
“So, he directed me to go to his house and bring some money. It was there that I saw children playing around. So, I grabbed one of them. That was what happened.
“It was purely the handiwork of the devil. I don’t know what happened; all I know is that I am not happy over what is happening to me.
“I am calling on the parents and the police to have mercy on me. I am promising the government and the parents that if they allow me to go free, I will never misbehave again.”
The three-year-old victim has been taken to the hospital for treatment.
Speaking on the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nnamdi Omoni, told newsmen that the suspect was arrested after the victim’s relations raised the alarm and the matter was reported to the police.
Omoni commended the Divisional Police Officer of Rumuolumini Divisional Headquarters, Mr. Kingsley Chukwueggu, for ensuring that the suspect, who was on the run was arrested.
He pointed out that the suspect would soon be charged to court, adding that the law must be allowed to take its course.
PUNCH
