Pastor Sodje Masodje of a new generation church in Eneka, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, has been arrested by operatives of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt.
The clergy man was reportedly apprehended over the alleged disappearance of Beauty Nwigbaranee, a 20-year-old undergraduate.
It is believed that Beauty and Masodje were both involved in a love affair.
Reports say that the final year student of Education at the Rivers State University, was last seen when she visited her supposed Pastor lover on December 25th, 2020 (Christmas Day).
Gobari Deebom, counsel for the missing student’s family, confirmed the development to reporters in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Deebom explained that it was a suspected case of abduction.
Before her disappearance, the undergraduate had informed a couple of her family members about her visit to the pastor, Deebom said.
The lawyer noted that her parents became apprehensive when the Pastor called, a few days after, enquiring about Beauty.
“It is a suspected case of abduction since 25th December, 2020 when she visited a pastor, also suspected to be her boyfriend or man friend,” the lawyer began.
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“Since that 25th till 26th, 27th December, 2020, her phone went off. The pastor called the family members of Beauty asking for her whereabouts.
“They said Beauty told them that she was visiting him and that they have not seen her back home since then. He said okay, Beauty is coming to see them, though they should not disclose it to her father that they have not seen Beauty.
“They kept to that not until after four days when they didn’t see her; they contacted the father who now reported to the Nigerian Army, 6 Division, Port Harcourt
“He was arrested and has been in their custody,” Deebom explained, but noted that he wanted the police to take over the matter to pave the way for proper investigation,” the lawyer stated.
Counsel to the victim’s family has announced that the family have expressed willingness to pay ransom in the event she was kidnapped.
The family have also consistently pleaded with the pastor to confess.
The spokesman of the 6 Division, Major Charles Ekeocha, is yet to confirm the incident.
However, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Nnamdi Omoni, has stated that the Command was yet to receive any report of the matter.