Police in Nasarawa State have arrested a 37-year-old pastor, Asonye Isaiah, over the alleged defilement of a 16-year-old girl in Karshi. The suspect, who pastors at the Rock of Love and Adoration Ground, Old Karshi, Abuja, was apprehended by operatives attached to the Karshi Divisional Headquarters, the Nasarawa State Police Command said on Sunday. According to a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, the arrest followed a complaint lodged at the division on April 18, 2026.

The command said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect deceived the victim’s aunt, claiming her niece was “possessed” and required cleansing at a river. He instead took the girl to a hotel in New Karshi, where he allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of her twice. He further threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident.

The statement added that the matter came to light after the victim’s guardian noticed unusual changes in her behaviour and questioned her. The command said the victim was taken for a medical examination, which confirmed penile penetration. SP Nansel said the suspect confessed to the offence during interrogation and pleaded for leniency.