Rivers State Police Command has arrested two pastors, Prophet Bassey Umoren (60) and Prophet Elijah Anietie (50) for alleged fetish practices.
The pastors were found with items like small caskets, monkey skulls, carved skeletons, spiritual books and other materials for rituals in their respective churches along Eneka Road in Rumunduru, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The arrest was initiated by vigilant youths from Rumunduru community who suspected the pastors’ activities.
Led by their youth leader, Henry Worlu, the youths went further to investigate and apprehended the suspects and handed them over to the police on January 20, 2025.
Both pastors are founders of God’s Deliverance Apostolic Church and Power House of Glory International Gospel Church and are from Akwa Ibom State.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Command, confirmed the incident at the Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt.
She said the case is already trending on social media and is under investigation to know the full extent of the suspects’ activities and to identify victims.
Among the items recovered were several photos, including children, wooden skulls, crosses and carved images.
The presence of these materials has raised eyebrows among the people on the spiritual and social implications of the pastors’ alleged activities.
The Rumunduru community has done well. Exposing the alleged activities has shown that community vigilance can address social issues.
This case also shows we need to dig deeper into religious institutions to ensure they operate within ethical and legal limits.
Investigation is ongoing, anyone with more information should come forward.
This is a reminder of the power of collective community action and the importance of it.