The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two pastors, Prophet Bassey Umoren, 60, and Prophet Elijah Anietie, 50, after discovering fetish items, including caskets, monkey skulls, and carved skeletons, in their respective churches. The pastors, who are founders of God’s Deliverance Apostolic Church and Power House of Glory International Gospel Church, were apprehended by youths of Rumunduru community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
According to the spokesperson of the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, the suspects were handed over to the police on January 20, 2025, by the youths, led by their youth leader, Henry Worlu. “This case, which has been trending on social media, involves two pastors reported by youths of Rumunduru community… on January 20, 2025, at about 9 am,” Iringe-Koko stated.
The police recovered several items from the churches, including photographs of children, small caskets, spiritual books, carved images, wooden skulls, crosses, and other ritual items. Iringe-Koko noted that investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the pastors’ activities and possible victims.
The youths of Rumunduru community have been commended for their vigilance in exposing the alleged activities of the suspects, which they claimed posed a spiritual and social threat to the community. The police are urging anyone with information about the pastors’ activities to come forward and assist in the investigation.
