Rivers State Police Arrest Two Fake Pastors with Ritual Items in Shocking Raid

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two individuals, self-proclaimed pastors, who are suspected of engaging in ritual activities in the Rumuduru community within the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

According to a statement from the Police Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, the suspects were apprehended by local youths in the community. The youths, led by their President Henry Worlu, handed the suspects over to the police on January 20, 2025, around 9 a.m. Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, was informed of the development.

The two suspects were identified as Umoren Bassey, aged 60, the presiding pastor of the One God Deliverance Apostolic Church, and Elijah Aniete, aged 51, the leader of the Power House of Glory International Gospel Church.

During police interrogation, Bassey admitted to using various spiritual materials such as water and oil to heal people, claiming that he was guided by divine intervention. He mentioned that he had lived in the community for over 17 years and had been offering prayers to those suffering from spiritual afflictions. Bassey also disclosed that he used a small wooden casket and “miracle life oil” to treat individuals suffering from insanity, claiming that the treatment would result in healing within three months.

Items seized from the suspects included cartridges, small wooden caskets, a sword, a fake naval passport, thousands of photographs, a half pair of children’s shoes, a police lanyard, various crosses, and several other spiritual materials.

Both suspects are currently in police custody, and investigations into their activities are ongoing.