Police say the 50-year-old suspect allegedly kept the girls at his residence and impregnated one of them, who later lost her baby after surgery.
The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old man, Nicholas Nusa, over the alleged abduction and sexual abuse of five girls in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
The command said the girls were allegedly taken from the Ibillo and Imoga areas at different times between September 2025 and April 2026 and kept at the suspect’s residence.
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the girls were sexually abused and that one of the victims became pregnant, went into premature labour and later lost her baby following surgery.
The children have since been reunited with their families, the command said.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, disclosed the development on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, during a briefing on the command’s operations over the past week.
Police investigate alleged abduction and abuse
The command said it received information about the alleged abduction of the five girls on September 12, leading to Nusa’s arrest.
Police have not disclosed the full circumstances surrounding how the girls allegedly came to be in the suspect’s residence, while investigations are continuing.
Recent reports identified Nusa as the overseer of Divine Grace Church on Imoga Road in Ibillo. Police said the suspect allegedly admitted to the offences during questioning, but that allegation remains part of the ongoing investigation and has not been established by a court.
The case has also drawn attention to the need for continued support for the victims following their alleged ordeal. Reports said one of the girls, aged 15, required a Caesarean section after becoming pregnant and subsequently lost the baby.
The police said the suspects involved would be charged in court after the investigation is concluded.
Police arrest 10 suspects in one week
The arrest was among several operations the command said it carried out over the past week.
According to the police, 10 suspects were arrested for violent crimes, while one suspected kidnapper was killed during an encounter with security operatives. The command also reported the recovery of an AK-47 rifle with 10 rounds of ammunition, a Beretta pistol with 14 rounds of ammunition and other items.
In a separate case, operatives arrested 32-year-old Mohammed Manfred Abdulramah, who was allegedly found wearing military camouflage trousers and a camouflage vest along the Auchi-Okene Expressway.
The police said preliminary investigations established that Abdulramah was not a member of the military and had allegedly stolen the uniform from a naval officer based in Niger State. He was arrested on September 16 while travelling from Warri, Delta State, to Okene, Kogi State.
The command also reported the arrest of Sunday Irabor at a hotel near Oluku Market following intelligence about alleged criminal activities. Three mobile phones, a Samsung tablet, a wristwatch and cash in naira and dollars were reportedly recovered.
In another case, police arrested Isiaka Suleiman, identified as the complainant’s driver, in Warri over the alleged theft of a Toyota Camry. The vehicle was recovered and the suspect handed over for further investigation.
Commissioner Daaor said the operations reflected the command’s focus on intelligence-led policing and tackling kidnapping, violent crime, sexual offences and other criminal activities across Edo State.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the police.
The investigation into the allegations against Nusa remains ongoing, and any criminal liability will ultimately be determined through due process.
