The Rivers State Police Command has paraded two pastors, Prophet Bassey Umoren (60) and Prophet Elijah Anietie (50), who were discovered with fetish items, including caskets, monkey skulls, carved skeletons, and various other spiritual materials, in their respective churches.
The pair were apprehended by local youths from the Rumunduru community in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state. They are the founders of God’s Deliverance Apostolic Church and Power House of Glory International Gospel Church, both situated along Eneka Road in Rumunduru.
State Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, announced the arrests on Thursday during a press briefing at the Rivers State Police Command Headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Iringe-Koko stated, “This case, which has gained significant attention on social media, involves two pastors who were reported by the youths of Rumunduru community, led by their youth leader, Henry Worlu, on January 20, 2025, at approximately 9 am.
“The youths apprehended the suspects, Prophet Umoren Bassey and Prophet Elijah Anietie, both hailing from Akwa Ibom State, and handed them over to the police for a thorough investigation.”
She detailed the items recovered from their churches, which included numerous photographs—some featuring children—small caskets, spiritual books, carved images, wooden skulls, crosses, and other ritualistic artefacts.
The police spokesperson emphasised that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full scope of their activities and identify any potential victims.
Meanwhile, the youths of Rumunduru community have received praise for their vigilance in exposing the alleged activities of the suspects, which they asserted posed a spiritual and social threat to the community.