5 cultists arrested for disrupting church activities

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Operatives of the Edo state command of the Nigerian Police have arrested and detained five persons, for allegedly disrupting church activities at Ebelle in Igueben local government area of the state.
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The persons who are suspected to be members of a secret cult group, were alleged to have on 31 December, during the crossover service for the new year, destroyed musical instruments of Disciples for Christ for All Nation Church and also beat up the pastor, Prophet Jonathan Momodu and many of the church members.

It was gathered that one of the suspects came into the church with a bottle of beer and was smoking cigarette.

One of the members of the church who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the suspect would not listen to them when they advised him to leave the church premises with his beer and cigarette, insisting that he used to smoke and drink with the pastor of the church.‎

Other witnesses said the church members fled the all night service, following the invasion of the church by more suspected cultists who ordered the pastor to leave.

Not satisfied, the suspects were said to have called for more of their group from Benin, who eventually invaded the community, heightening tension in the community.

Confirming the arrest of the suspects, Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Osifo, said the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, adding that, more suspects may be arrested.

“I am aware of five suspected that were arrested, among the others at large. They (suspects) were alleged to have disrupted a church service and they are being investigated for cultism,” Osifo said.