Two pastors, Prophet Bassey Umoren, aged 60, and Prophet Elijah Anietie, aged 50, have been arrested by the Rivers State Police for allegedly possessing fetish items linked to ritual practices in their churches. The two men, who are the founders of God’s Deliverance Apostolic Church and Power House of Glory International Gospel Church, were apprehended on January 20, 2025, by youths from the Rumunduru community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The arrest of the pastors came after a tip-off from the youth leader of Rumunduru, Henry Worlu, who alerted the authorities about the suspicious activities of the pastors. According to reports, the youths in the community, led by Worlu, became concerned after discovering various ritualistic items in the pastors’ churches. The two men, originally from Akwa Ibom State, were then handed over to the police for further investigation.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, confirmed the arrests and provided details of the items recovered from the pastors’ churches during a press briefing at the police headquarters in Port Harcourt. Iringe-Koko said that the items seized included small caskets, monkey skulls, carved skeletons, photographs of children, wooden skulls, spiritual books, crosses, and other ritual items.
This discovery has raised serious concerns in the community, with many locals questioning the activities of religious leaders in the area. According to Iringe-Koko, the investigation is still ongoing, and the police are working to determine the full scope of the pastors’ actions, including whether there were any victims involved in their alleged rituals.
The arrest of the two pastors has attracted widespread attention, especially on social media, where many have expressed shock and disbelief at the discovery. The presence of children’s photographs among the seized items has further fueled public outrage, as many people are worried about the potential harm that could have been caused by the alleged rituals.
In response to the arrests, members of the Rumunduru community have expressed their relief, with some residents commending the youths for their bravery in confronting the pastors and reporting their activities to the authorities. The youth leader, Henry Worlu, was particularly praised for his swift action in bringing the matter to the attention of the police.
This incident is the latest in a series of reports concerning suspicious practices by religious leaders across Nigeria. In recent years, there have been growing concerns about the involvement of some pastors and spiritual leaders in ritual activities, often under the guise of providing spiritual or healing services to their followers. These cases have sparked debates about the need for greater regulation and oversight of religious institutions in the country.
The Rivers State Police Command has vowed to continue its investigation into the case and ensure that anyone found guilty of engaging in illegal and harmful practices will face the full weight of the law. The authorities have also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities in their communities to the police.
As of now, Prophet Umoren and Prophet Anietie are in police custody while the investigation continues. The police have promised to update the public as more information becomes available.