The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old pastor, Ambros Mark, following allegations that he sexually abused two underage girls who were members of his church choir in Yenagoa, the state capital. Police have confirmed the arrest and ordered further investigation, while a women's rights organisation has demanded that the children receive protection and that the allegations be thoroughly examined.
The suspect, identified as the pastor of Point of Redemption Church International, located behind Amarata in Yenagoa, was arrested following a complaint involving two girls aged 13 and 14. Police spokesperson DSP Musa Mohammed confirmed the development on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, saying the Divisional Police Officer of the A Division acted after receiving the complaint.
According to Mohammed, officers moved to apprehend the suspect after the matter was formally reported. The police spokesperson also stated that Mark had reportedly confessed to the allegations following his arrest. However, a reported confession during police questioning does not constitute a judicial finding of guilt, and the allegations remain subject to investigation and the legal process.
The Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa State, Ajao Saka Adewale, subsequently directed that the suspect and the case file be transferred to the State Police Headquarters for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The police command said the transfer was intended to ensure that the allegations received appropriate attention and that investigators could examine the circumstances surrounding the complaints.
Preliminary reports indicate that both girls were members of the church choir, placing them within a religious environment where adults responsible for their supervision were expected to safeguard their welfare. The alleged involvement of a religious leader has intensified concerns about the protection of children in institutions where authority and trust play significant roles.
According to information obtained by The Punch, the younger girl is originally from Abia State, while the older child is from Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. Their names and other identifying details are being withheld because of their ages and the sensitive nature of the allegations.
A source familiar with the matter alleged that the 14-year-old disclosed the suspected abuse to her father, a police officer attached to the Bayelsa State Police Command.
The source claimed that the disclosure followed the girl's objection to the continuation of the alleged conduct. Her father subsequently reported the matter to the police, leading to the pastor's arrest.
The suspect was reportedly taken into custody on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The police have not publicly established the precise period during which the alleged offences occurred or disclosed whether investigators have obtained medical, forensic or other corroborating evidence.
Additional allegations have emerged concerning attempts to resolve the matter through financial arrangements with one of the affected families.
According to unverified local accounts, an attempt was allegedly made to negotiate a settlement, but the parents of the younger girl reportedly refused the proposed arrangement.
Those claims have not been independently substantiated, and the identities of the individuals allegedly involved in any negotiations have not been established. There is also no verified evidence that such an arrangement was authorised by the police or any other public authority.
Other residents reportedly alleged that the pastor had previously engaged in inappropriate conduct involving underage girls. These claims remain unverified and should not be treated as established incidents or evidence of guilt in the present investigation.
The allegations have attracted the attention of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, known as FIDA, through its Bayelsa State chapter.
The organisation's chairperson, Dr Boma Miebai, confirmed that FIDA was following the case and called on law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough investigation while protecting the rights and interests of the children.
Miebai emphasised the need for diligent prosecution where the evidence supports criminal charges and warned against allowing religious status or influence to interfere with the administration of justice.
She maintained that children must be protected from sexual exploitation and that allegations involving religious leaders should receive the same scrutiny as those involving any other member of society.
The FIDA chairperson also stressed the importance of confidentiality, appropriate legal assistance and psychosocial support for children who report sexual abuse.
Her intervention reflects the particular challenges associated with investigating allegations involving minors. Children may face emotional distress, social pressure and difficulties recounting traumatic experiences, making specialist support essential throughout the investigative and judicial processes.
The allegations against Mark have also renewed attention on safeguarding responsibilities within religious organisations.
Churches and other faith-based institutions frequently provide educational, musical and social activities involving children. These programmes can offer important opportunities for personal development, but they also require clear supervision arrangements and effective procedures for reporting inappropriate behaviour.
Where allegations concern an adult occupying a position of spiritual or institutional authority, investigators must consider whether that relationship created opportunities for exploitation or discouraged disclosure.
Such considerations do not establish wrongdoing in an individual case. They are relevant to ensuring that investigators understand the circumstances in which alleged offences may have occurred and whether safeguarding procedures were adequate.
Nigeria's legal framework provides protections against sexual offences involving children, although the specific charges available depend on the applicable laws, the evidence gathered and decisions taken by prosecuting authorities.
In Bayelsa State, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law forms part of the legal framework addressing sexual and gender-based violence. Relevant criminal legislation may also apply depending on the circumstances established during the investigation.
The rights of accused persons remain protected under Nigerian law, including the constitutional presumption of innocence until guilt is established through lawful judicial proceedings.
For the two girls, the immediate priority is ensuring their safety, privacy and access to appropriate professional support. Public disclosure of identifying information could expose them to further distress and undermine their protection.
As of Wednesday, police had confirmed Mark's arrest and the direction to transfer the investigation to the State Police Headquarters. No court judgment establishing his guilt had been reported, and authorities had not publicly announced the completion of their investigation.
The case presents an important test of how allegations of child sexual abuse are handled when the accused occupies a position of religious authority.
For investigators, the responsibility is to establish the facts through credible evidence and lawful procedures. For child protection organisations, the concern is that the complainants receive appropriate support without intimidation or interference.
The outcome will depend on the evidence gathered and the decisions of the relevant prosecuting and judicial authorities. Until then, the allegations against Ambros Mark remain allegations, notwithstanding the police account of his reported confession.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments