Suspected members of a cult group abducted and raped a pastor’s wife to death in Abarikpo, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
It was reported that Mrs Chigbewejim Remember Steward, a mother of two, was taken around 1am on Sunday,12 February,2023.
Her lifeless body, with multiple injuries and blood in her private part, was discovered around 10am in Abarikpo.
Pastor Lawyer Steward, who serves as an Assistant Pastor in Seventh Day Adventist Abarikpo, confirmed the incident in an interview with journalists on Monday.
In his statement, Pastor Steward emphasized that he is not a cultist but a dedicated religious leader. He also appealed to the authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice, alleging one Aka Sunday, a Cultist, as the mastermind behind the heinous act.
Ahoada Police Division and the DPO conducted an on-site investigation after the incident, as disclosed by Pastor Steward.
Mr Ekeakita Hector Chinem, the Public Relations Officer of Igbu Akoh Clan Youth Congress, Ahoada East LGA, verified the abduction and rape of the victim, highlighting the prevalent fear and lack of action against the escalating criminal activities in the area.
The Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign condemned the abduction and rape, urging the Police to ensure the perpetrators face the full consequences of the law.
“The Centre for Basic Rights Protection and Accountability Campaign has described as height of wickedness ,the abduction, rape of Mrs Chigbewejim Lawyer, wife to Mr Lawyer Steward, an Assistant Pastor of a Pentecostal Church in Abarikpo community, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State to death on Sunday 12, February, 2023,” the statement read.
“We are shocked that the suspected gang leader who carried out the heinous and dastardly act is still moving around in the community as revealed by the deceased woman’s husband in an interaction with the Centre.
“We call on the Rivers State Police command and appropriate security agencies to immediately arrest the culprits and bring the full weight of the law against anyone found culpable in course of investigation with a view to serving desired justice on the matter.
“Centre for Basic Rights condoles with the family of the deceased victim, particularly the children and the husband, Mr. Lawyer Steward on the gruesome murder of his wife while praying that God gives him the fortitude to bear the loss.”
