Alleged Fake Pastors Arrested In Rivers

Two people allegedly dressed as fake pastors were detained by youths from the Rumunduru community in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Thursday at the Rivers State Police Command.

The suspects, Umoren Bassey and Elijah Aniete were handed over to the police on January 20, 2005, after being caught by Henry Worlu, the Youth President of Rumunduru.

The youths claimed to have caught the men engaging in suspicious activities and reported them to the authorities, according to SP Grace Iringe Koko, a spokesperson for the Rivers State Police.

SP Koko explained that the police recovered various items from the suspects, including a cartridge, a sword, a fake naval passport, numerous photographs of people, a child’s shoe, a police lanyard, several crosses, and various spiritual materials.

However, she clarified that no live python or human skulls were found, as some of the initial rumours suggested.

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During an interview, one of the suspects, Umoren Bassey, who claimed to be the head of the Church of God Apostolic Deliverance in Eneka, Rumunduru, defended his practices.

“I use spiritual materials the way God directed me”, he explained. Water and oil can heal people, according to the saying. I’ve been here for a long time. I still have three weeks before a court order for me to leave because it is a land dispute.

Some of the materials they allegedly found in my church were planted by the community. Even without a warrant, they searched my home.

Bassey added that some of the photos in his possession were of members of his own family and church, adding that he had been assisting people in the neighborhood for 17 years.

“I use small caskets and miracle oil to pray for mentally ill people”, he added. They usually recover after three months. I’ve been assisting these people here by using these strategies.

Elijah Aniete, the second suspect, explained that he had been attending a meeting at Bassey’s church when members of the community, along with the OSPAC (Oil Palm Security and Anti-Cultism) unit, arrived and arrested them.

The Youth President of Rumunduru, Henry Worlu, claimed in an interview that the OSPAC commander had informed him of Bassey’s alleged sacrifices on the road.

“In the morning, we went to his church. He refused to let us in and denied any wrongdoing. We eventually forced our way into his chambers and found the items”, Worlu recalled.

“However, we did not find a python or human remains. He was not assaulted by anyone. He was then simply handed over to the police.

Source: Channels TV