Police parade ‘pastors’ over fetish items, odd discoveries in Rivers church

The Rivers State Police Command yesterday paraded two alleged pastors, Umoren Bassey, 60, and Elijah Aniete, 51, who were arrested on January 20, 2025, by youths of Rumunduru in Oroigwe, Obio-Akpor Council of Rivers State.

The suspects, both natives of Akwa Ibom State, were handed over to the police for investigation after their arrest.

Parading them at the command headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Spokesperson for the Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed that preliminary investigations uncovered several bizarre items in Bassey’s church, God Deliverance Apostolic Church, located along Eneka Road.

Items recovered from the premises included a live cartridge, a sword, two wooden coffins, fake naval passports, thousands of photographs and passports of individuals, police uniforms, children’s shoes, and bottles containing unknown liquids.

Other items found were calabashes, coconuts, Bibles, and spiritual materials. However, Iringe-Koko clarified that contrary to initial reports, no python or large casket was found.

Aniete, pastor of Power House of Glory International Church, was arrested alongside Bassey. He claimed he was visiting Bassey to discuss maritime-related matters. According to him, Bassey, identified as a captain of the Maritime Rescue Coastal Security organisation, had invited him to discuss a signal from Lagos.

The arrest of the two men has sparked widespread public interest, with many calling for increased scrutiny of religious leaders and their activities.

Bassey, however, denied allegations of fetish practices, claiming the community planted some of the items found in his church and searched his house without a warrant. He described himself as a healer who had been serving the community for 17 years.

“You can use water and oil to heal people,” Bassey stated. “I use the small casket and miracle life oil to pray for mentally ill individuals, and they calm down within three months. The community planted some of the materials they claimed they saw in my church. They also searched my house without a warrant.”

Aniete also denied wrongdoing, stating, “I own a church. What brought me here is that we belong to the Maritime Rescue Coastal Security organisation, and Bassey is the captain. He called me on Sunday to discuss a signal from Lagos. I was with him when the youths came in and arrested me.”

The Youth President of Rumunduru, Henry Worlu, narrated how the pastors were apprehended. He said the community’s vigilante commander alerted him after spotting a man performing rituals at midnight. Upon investigation, the man was identified as Bassey.

Worlu said the youths confronted Bassey the following morning, but he denied the allegations and refused to allow a search of his compound. The youths reportedly forced open one of his chambers, where they discovered several items believed to be fetish.

“When we got there, we asked him what he was doing at the centre of the road at midnight. He denied any fetish activities, claiming he was a pastor. We forced entry into his compound, and that was when we saw all manner of fetish things,” Worlu explained.