The Nigerian Army said yesterday in Port Harcourt that it has arrested a pastor and two others who faked miracles and healing to deceive members of his church and the public.


Presenting the suspects to newsmen, Army Public Relations Officer, 2nd Brigade, Nigeria Army, Port Harcourt, Capt. Eli Lazarus, said the suspects have several members.

Lazarus said: “We got a tip-off from a member of the church who complained of immoral and fraudulent activities going on there.

“The self-acclaimed pastor and his collaborators (names withheld) 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 healing to attract members to their church located along Aluu community near Port Harcourt.”

He said the suspects would be handed over to the police for further investigation and possible arraignment in court.

He urged members of the public to be weary of fake pastors, urging them to supply information about them to security agencies which could effect their arrest.

The prime suspect (names withheld), a 27 years old man and founding pastor of the church, confessed to paying his collaborators undisclosed sums of money to give false testimonies.

The suspect said his church, Revelation Power Ministry, has over 100 worshipers.

“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 retain the old ones, numbering over 100.

“So, after praying for them during church service, they would lift up their hands and testify about their healing.

“I am very sorry for my actions which have offended God and man; and if forgiven, I will live a life that will be pleasing to Heaven,” the suspect said.

In a related development, ‎the Nigerian Army in Port Harcourt has arrested two male suspects for allegedly parading themselves as ‘Majors’ in the army.

Capt. Lazarus made the disclosure yesterday while parading the suspects before newsmen.

Lazarus said the two suspects, Fabian Enudi, 39, and Samuel Agaga, 38, indigenes of Delta and Bayelsa states were arrested separately, dressed in full army uniforms with the rank of a Major.

“Enudi, dressed in army uniform, presented himself as an army major to our troops at a security checkpoint in Mbiama area, 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 in his leg,” he said.

Lazarus said the suspect confessed to being a major supplier and transporter of cannabis and other banned substances for an unknown drug cartel.