The Nigerian Army has arrested a 'pastor' and two others who faked miracles and healing to deceive members of the public in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Army Public Relations Officer, 2nd Brigade, Port Harcourt, Captain Eli Lazarus, made the disclosure while parading the suspects before newsmen, on Tuesday.
He said the suspects, who had several members of their church, were arrested following a tip-off from a member of the church. "We got a tip-off from a member of the church who complained of immoral and fraudulent activities that were ongoing in the church.
"The self-acclaimed pastor and his collaborators were subsequently arrested and they confessed to duping unsuspecting members of the public of various sums of money. "The suspects also confessed to stage-managing miracles and healings to attract members to their church, located along Aluu community, close to Port Harcourt," he said.
The army image maker said the suspects would be handed over to the police for further investigation and possible arraignment in court. The prime suspect, a 27-year-old founder of the church, confessed to have paid his collaborators undisclosed sums of money to give false testimonies.
He said his church, Revelation Power Ministry, had over 100 worshippers, adding, "I told my accomplices to tell my church congregation that after performing miracles, they were healed from a terminal illness.
"This was done to enable me draw more members to the church and to retain my old members, numbering over 100. "So, after praying for them during church service, they lifted up their hands and professed to my church members of their healing. "I'm very sorry for my actions which has offended God and man. And, if forgiven, I will live a life that will be pleasing to Heaven," he said.
In a related development, two men who paraded themselves as Majors in the Nigerian Army were paraded before newsmen in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday. Parading the suspects, Lazarus said Fabian Enudi (39) and Samuel Agaga (38), indigenes of Delta and Bayelsa states, were arrested separately dressed in army uniforms with the ranks of Major.
“Fabian Enudi, dressed in army uniform, presented himself as an army Major to our troops on security checkpoint at Mbiama area in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. “Enudi, realising he could not defend himself while being interrogated by our personnel at the checkpoint, speedily drove past the checkpoint in an attempt to escape arrest.
“Our troops immediately mobilised and gave him a hot pursuit, spanning several kilometres, until he was forcefully stopped and apprehended. “During the pursuit, our troops fired warning shots to demobilise his car but unfortunately, the suspect sustained gunshot wounds on his leg,” he said.
Lazarus said the suspect confessed to being a major supplier and transporter of Indian hemp and other banned substances to an unknown drug cartel. Similarly, he said the other suspect, Agaga, was arrested when he, dressed as a Major, came to the army barracks to request that soldiers accompany him to settle a land dispute.
"Apparently, the suspect, thinking that as an officer, he could deceive our personnel, was subsequently arrested when he could not provide his identification card or defend himself.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the two suspects had been impersonating our military officers, using our uniforms, while having dealings with unsuspecting members of the public.
“The suspects have defrauded a lot of people. But, unfortunately, they met their Waterloo when our troops intercepted them in the course of their nefarious activities,” he said.
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