A self-style Pastor who claim to be a Prophet, Nicholas Nusa, has been arrested by police operatives in Edo State for the alleged abduction of five female teenagers,
including a 15-year-old girl from Ibillo/Imoga from Ibillo/Imoga Communities in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area.
The 50-year-old suspect, who operates the Divine Grace Church on Imoga Road in Ibillo, was apprehended on September 12, 2026, at about 3p.m, following actionable intelligence.
The female hostages ― ages 14 to 18, were rescued by the Ibillo Community Vigilante in collaboration with the Brave Heart Initiative, a Non-governmental organization.
The hostages ((names withheld) were subsequently handed over to the Ibillo Police Division, according to the spokesperson for the Edo State Police Command, SP Ikoedem Eno, who confirmed the arrest, stated that the suspect, confessed to the alleged crime.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspect abducted the teenagers to his residence at various times between September 2025 and April 2026 under the guise of acting as their spiritual guide.
According to the police, the 15-year-old victim is currently recovering at an undisclosed hospital after undergoing a Cesarean Section, while efforts are underway to reunite all the children with their families.
The police spokesperson admitted that the 15-year-old girl is at an undisclosed “hospital recovering from a Cesarean Section in the care of Brave Heart Organization”, assuring that “efforts are ongoing to reunite the children with their parents”,
Similarly, Priscilla Osiobaifo, Executive Director of the Brave Heart Initiative, disclosed that the 15-year-old survivor tragically lost her newborn following premature labor and surgery.
Osiobaifo, expressed deep concern that four of the rescued teenagers voluntarily returned to the suspect’s custody shortly after being initially rescued and counseled.
”Each of these girls absconded from home to stay with this Pastor. Their parents tried to no avail to reunite with them.
“Shockingly, while my team was busy trying to save the pregnant girl who went into premature labor, her colleagues returned to the Pastor’s house,” Osiobaifo stated.
The organization suspects psychological and spiritual manipulation, noting that the girls were given suspicious necklaces by the Pastor.
The 15-year-old reportedly exhibited erratic behaviour and hostility toward her mother after the protective necklace was removed from them.
Meanwhile, tensions escalated at the medical facility when a sister of the suspect allegedly visited the hospital to threaten the recovering 15-year-old.
In a social media post, Priscilla Ikos, criticized the initial response of local police officers at the hospital for allegedly downplaying the threat.
“This girl had surgery, lost the baby and is still recovering but this woman had the audacity to walk into a public health facility to threaten her”.
She said, “My greatest annoyance is with the Police officers from Ibillo who were at the hospital when this incident took place.
The teenagers intentionally refused to arrest the woman, downplayed the matter and trivialized the threat.
“However, I made sure she was arrested by our Vigilante and handed over to Igarra Police team”, according to her.
