The Bayelsa government has promised to provide psychological and other support to a 14-year-old girl impregnated by her father.

Dise Ogbise, Coordinator, Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT) in the state, said on Friday in Yenagoa that some members of the public reported the case.

According to Ms Ogbise, the team swung into action when it was reported that the teenager was five months pregnant for her father, arrested the man and subsequently hauled him into police custody.

The suspect who hails from Ogani Wily Kaira, Ogoni, Rivers, was arrested following a formal complaint from GRIT.

She alleged that the 38-year-old man, residing at PDP Road, Yenagoa, had been sexually abusing his own daughter since she was seven.

She noted that the victim needed a lot of support to help her go through the rigours of pregnancy at a very tender age.

“The government will ensure that she continues her education. The victim, a Junior Secondary School student who aspires to be a musician, will be assisted to achieve her life goal,’’ she said.

The coordinator applauded the neighbour who gave GRIT the tip, adding that the man had been violating his daughter and things got worse when the victim’s mother died a few years ago.

Ogbise gave the assurance that GRIT was committed to protecting the rights of the girl child.

Asinim Butswat of the state police command confirmed the incident, saying that the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.

(NAN)