Police arrest cleric over abduction of five girls in Edo

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old self-styled cleric, Nicholas Nusa, over the alleged abduction of five girls in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of the state.

Nusa, who is the overseer of Divine Grace Church on Imoga Road, Ibillo, was also accused of sexually abusing one of the victims, a 15-year-old girl who allegedly became pregnant.

According to the police, the teenager has undergone a Caesarean section and is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital, while the Brave Heart Organisation is providing care and support.

The command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, said Nusa was arrested after the police received information about the alleged abductions.

She said preliminary investigations indicated that the five girls were allegedly taken from Ibillo and Imoga communities at different times between September 2025 and April 2026 and brought to the suspect’s residence.

Ikoedem said the suspect had allegedly confessed to the offences during police interrogation, while investigations were continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged abductions.

She added that the command was working to reunite the children with their respective families.

The police said the case remained under investigation.