The Nigerian Army said yesterday in Port Harcourt that it has arrested a
pastor and two others who faked miracles and healing to deceive members
of his church and the public.
Lazarus said: “We got a tip-off from a member of the church who complained of immoral and fraudulent activities going on there.
“The self-acclaimed pastor and his collaborators (names withheld) were
subsequently arrested, and they confessed to duping unsuspecting members
of the public of various sums of money.
“The suspects also confessed to stage-managing miracles and healing to
attract members to their church located along Aluu community near Port
Harcourt.”
Presenting the suspects to newsmen, Army Public Relations Officer, 2nd
Brigade, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, Capt. Eli Lazarus, said the
suspects have several members.
He said the suspects would be handed over to the police for further investigation and possible arraignment in court.
He urged members of the public to be weary of fake pastors, urging them
to supply information about them to security agencies which could effect
their arrest.
The prime suspect (names withheld), a 27 years old man and founding
pastor of the church, confessed to paying his collaborators undisclosed
sums of money to give false testimonies.
The suspect said his church, Revelation Power Ministry, has over 100 worshipers.
“I told my accomplices to tell my church congregation that after performing miracles they were healed from a terminal illness.
“This was done to enable me draw more members to the church and retain the old ones, numbering over 100.
“So, after praying for them during church service, they would lift up their hands and testify about their healing.
“I am very sorry for my actions which have offended God and man; and if
forgiven, I will live a life that will be pleasing to Heaven,” the
suspect said.
In a related development, the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has
arrested two male suspects for allegedly parading themselves as ‘Majors’
in the army.
Capt. Lazarus made the disclosure yesterday while parading the suspects before newsmen.
Lazarus said the two suspects, Fabian Enudi, 39, and Samuel Agaga, 38,
indigenes of Delta and Bayelsa states were arrested separately, dressed
in full army uniforms with the rank of a Major.
“Enudi, dressed in army uniform, presented himself as an army major to
our troops at a security checkpoint in Mbiama area, Ahoada West Local
Government Area of Rivers State.
“Enudi, realising he could not defend himself while being interrogated
by our personnel at the checkpoint, speedily drove past the checkpoint
in an attempt to escape arrest.
“Our troops immediately mobilised and gave him a hot pursuit spanning
several kilometres until he was forcefully stopped and apprehended.
“During the pursuit our troops fired warning shots to demobilise his car
but unfortunately the suspect sustained gunshot wounds in his leg,” he
said.
Lazarus said the suspect confessed to being a major supplier and
transporter of cannabis and other banned substances for an unknown drug
cartel.
credit: National Mirror
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