Rivers State Police Command has arrested two pastors, Prophet Bassey Umoren (60) and Prophet Elijah Anietie (50), after fetish items, including small caskets, monkey skulls, and carved skeletons, were discovered in their churches.
The pastors, founders of God’s Deliverance Apostolic Church and Power House of Glory International Gospel Church, were apprehended by youths of the Rumunduru community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area before being handed over to the police.
Police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the arrest on Thursday, January 23, 2025, while parading the suspects at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt.
“This case, which has been trending on social media, involves two pastors reported by the youths of Rumunduru, led by their youth leader, Henry Worlu, on January 20, 2025, at about 9 a.m.,” she said.
The police recovered several ritual items, including photographs—some of children—spiritual books, wooden skulls, crosses, and other suspicious objects.
Iringe-Koko stated that investigations were ongoing to determine the full extent of the pastors’ activities and whether there were victims linked to their practices.
Meanwhile, the Rumunduru community has been commended for its vigilance in exposing the alleged activities, which they claim posed a spiritual and social threat to their environment.