Police In Rivers State Parades Fake Pastors Operating In Obio Akpor Area

By: Awajis Josiah-Chijindu 

Police in Rivers State today Thursday 23rd January 2025, paraded two fake pastors operating in Rumunduru, Obio Akpor local government area of the state.

The suspects Mr. Umoren Bassey and Elijah Anietie from Akwa Ibom State were apprehended by the Youths of the community. 

Parading the suspects at the Command's headquarters in Port Harcourt, spokesperson, Rivers State Police command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko told Newsmen that the Youth President of Rumunduru community Mr. Henry worlu, apprehended the suspects on the 20th of January and handed over the suspects to the Police.

According to SP Iringe-Koko, one  cartridge, one sword,fake naval passport,thousands of people pictures, one leg of children shoe, Police lanyard, different types of cross and spiritual materials were discovered at the church.

She however debunked the news making round that a live python and human skull were recovered from the suspects.

While speaking with Newsmen, one of the suspects,Umoren Bassey who is the pastor of church of  God Apostolic Deliverance church in Eneka,Rumunduru says he does prayer with spiritual materials the way God directed.

"You can use water and oil to heal people..I have lived there so long.It is a land case.i still have three weeks after court judgement that asked me to quit. They used it to step up me up.The community planted some of the materials they claimed they saw in my church.They searched my house without warrant. He narrated 

"I have been healing people.Helping the community.I have lived there for 17 years.some of the pictures you saw there is that of my Son and some are that of my members.

"I use the small casket and miracle life  oil to pray for mad persons.The mad person must be calm within three months.I use it to help the community people" Mr Bassey said.

Another suspect,Elijah Anietie of Power House of Glory International Gospel Church, explained that he was in Bassey's church having a meeting with him when OSPAC and the community youths came and arrested them.

On his part, the Youth President of Rumunduru community, Mr.Henry Worlu,  in an interview with Journalists stated that he  was called by OSPAC commander in the community that  Pastor Bassey was doing sacrifice along the road.

According to the Youth President, they visited the church premises in the morning to inquire from him if the allegation was true, but the pastor denied access to the church. 

Mr. World said they forcefully opened his chamber and saw all the items he claimed were for prayer assignment.