Two pastors, Prophet Bassey Umoren (60) and Prophet Elijah Anietie (50), have been taken into custody by the Rivers State Police Command after fetish items were discovered in their churches.
Speaking at the Command headquarters in Port Harcourt, the police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, revealed that items seized included caskets, monkey skulls, and carved skeletons.
According to Iringe-Koko, the pastors, who head God’s Deliverance Apostolic Church and Power House of Glory International Gospel Church, were apprehended by youths from the Rumunduru community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Their arrest took place on January 20, 2025, following a report by the community’s youth leader, Henry Worlu.
In a statement shared with SaharaReporters, Iringe-Koko said, “This case, which has gained attention on social media, involves two pastors reported by youths of the Rumunduru community, led by their youth leader, Henry Worlu, on January 20, 2025, around 9 am. The youths handed over the suspects, Prophet Bassey Umoren and Prophet Elijah Anietie, both from Akwa Ibom State, to the police for further investigation.”
She detailed the items recovered from their churches, which included several photographs—some of children—small caskets, spiritual books, carved images, wooden skulls, crosses, and other items linked to rituals.
Iringe-Koko confirmed that the investigation is ongoing to uncover the extent of their activities and identify any potential victims.
