News
Abuja Pastor Apologises For Mounting Pulpit With AK-47, Suspends Duties

The presiding pastor of House on the Rock Abuja, Pastor Uche Aigbe, has tendered an unreserved apology to his congregation and the entire Nigerians for mounting the pulpit with an unloaded AK-47.
A remorseful Aigbe, in a video posted on the church’s social media page on Tuesday, showed the pastor in last Sunday’s service saying he was disappointed in himself for not considering the consequences of bringing the firearm to illustrate a passage in the Scripture before taking the decision.
Report had it how the preacher caused a stir when he mounted the pulpit with the rifle to address the congregation on ‘Guarding the Faith.’
The viral video clip of him brandishing an AK-47 on the altar generated mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some people calling for his arrest by security agencies.
Following the tension created by the viral clip on social media and online blogs that picked the story from The PUNCH, the church released a statement, saying the minister had always shown exemplary leadership since he became a pastor in 1999.
While explaining that the minister was trying to illustrate his message through the action, the church, however, faulted his use of the gun.
READ ALSO: Tension As Pastor Brings AK 47 To Altar
While the drama was ongoing, Aigbe was invited for questioning and subsequently detained by police authorities in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The command also confirmed the arrest of the Chief Security Officer of the church, Inspector Musa Audu, who it identified as the owner of the AK-47.
But Aigbe addressed his congregation midway through the Sunday Service that the traumatic experience he had in the last one week had given him a lot of concerns.
While apologising for the embarrassment his action had caused the church, he admitted guilt for not giving his decision to mount the pulpit with a firearm a second thought.
He said, “This morning, I stand before you with a deep sense of sobriety and contrition as I humbly address the event of last Sunday at the second service which most of us were a part of, where I used an unloaded firearm to illustrate some texts from the Bible regarding the good fight of faith.
“Of course, like you all know, it has caused a lot of embarrassment and pain to the entire church family, to you House on the Rock (The Refuge), to my immediate family and, of course, to myself. The decision that I made to use that firearm was not thoughtful. It has left me disappointed in myself. My action has been very traumatic for me, my family and, I am sure, for many of us. And I trust that we will never ever experience such again.”
While appreciating his family and the leadership of the church for the moral, physical and spiritual support he received since his trial started, the presiding pastor suddenly announced that he would be withdrawing from his pastoral assignments to reflect over the events of the past week and for healing.
READ ALSO: [BREAKING] AK-47: Police Detain Abuja Pastor, Recommend Inspector’s Dismissal
According to him, the decision was taken after due consultation with the church leadership.
Aigbe also used the opportunity to pray for a peaceful and violence-free election.
“I want to thank you all for your prayers, love, empathy, goodwill messages and emotional support during this traumatic period. As Christians, time is of such trial that I have presently experienced, learning opportunities to grow in grace. I appreciate the love of our Heavenly Father who never leaves us nor forsakes us. He has promised us that no matter what happens, He will always be with us.
“To this end, I have consulted as necessary and with acceptable guidance from the senior leadership of the church. And I would like to humbly ask for your permission to take some time to pray, meditate, reflect and also to heal from all of the things that happened and its consequence. Notwithstanding, I will always be in church on Sundays and Wednesdays to worship with you.
“Let me say that I bear no grudge against anybody in my heart. If I have offended you, please forgive me. God is God and He will always remain our Father.
“So, let’s remain resolute in our faith and trust in God. Let’s continue to labour in the house and not allow the enemies to deter us in any way. I also believe God for a peaceful election on Saturday and the weeks after that,” he urged.
After he finished, the entire congregation rose clapping and applauding him.
Many walked up to pat and hug him, while reassuring him that the storm is over.
There were also reactions on the church social media handle where some followers hailed his courage and his mind-blowing apology.
READ ALSO: Pastor Fakes Own Kidnap, Collects N600,000 Ransom From Members
Tony Atambi exclaimed, “Great to see you again, Dear Pastor!!!” while another social media user, Omiete Alalibo, wrote “Pastor Uche, the Lord will continue to stand for you. Every plan of the enemy will be turned around for good.”
Another follower, Ogunniyi Oluseye Oreofe, stated that “God has turned it around for our Good.”
A barrister, Sheyilami Longe, said, “It is well with you my pastor.”
On his own part, Nanman wrote, “God is good to us through every season of our lives and he is with you Pastor Uche, your family and every member of House On The Rock.”
PUNCH
News
DSS Arraigns Sowore Over Anti-Tinubu Post

The Federal Government is set to arraign human rights activist Omoyele Sowore on a five-count charge for allegedly posting false statements about President Bola Tinubu intended to cause a breakdown of law and order, court papers show.
Sowore was sighted at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ahead of the arraignment.
The suit dated 16th September,2025, was lodged after Sowore allegedly refused to delete the controversial posts about the President.
The Sahara Reporters publisher was accused of using his official X handle to make the post, “This criminal @ official PBAT Actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
READ ALSO:DSS Sues Sowore, X, Meta Over Anti-Tinubu Post
The alleged offending post, said to be contrary to Section 24(2) (b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024, was said to have been made on August 25 within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
The charges were brought on behalf of the DSS and the Federal Government by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice, alongside four other counsel to the DSS –M.E. Ernest, U.B. Bulla, Dr. C.S. Eze, and E.G. Orubor.
Social media companies X Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. are listed as co-defendants.
Confirming the legal action in a Facebook post last week, Sowore wrote, “The State Security Service, alias @OfficialDSSNG today filed a 5-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against ‘X’ (formerly Twitter Facebook, and myself. They claimed that because I called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu a criminal, I have somehow committed a set of ‘novel’ offences they invented and spread across five counts.
READ ALSO:DSS Gives X Ultimatum To Pull Down Sowore’s Tweet
“It’s hard to believe there’s anyone sensible left in these offices that should be making Nigeria work. Regardless, I will be present whenever this case is assigned for trial. #RevolutionNow.”
Recall that the human rights activist and African Action Congress candidate in the 2023 election vowed not to delete the controversial tweet, despite a request from the DSS to X demanding its removal.
Restating his stance, Sowore wrote, “This morning, X (formerly Twitter) officially contacted me about the despicable threat letter they received from the lawless DSS over my Tweet on Tinubu. One option I will NOT be taking is deleting that Tweet. Thank you, @X.”
News
Lagos Opens Portal For Teaching Job Applications

The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board has opened its official application portal for teaching positions across the state.
In a statement signed on Monday by the Executive Chairman of LASUBEB, the board said the recruitment exercise, approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, targets qualified candidates willing to contribute to the delivery of quality education in Lagos State.
The statement partly read, “This is a unique opportunity for NCE holders, B.A (Ed), B.Sc (Ed), B.Ed, HND+PGDE, BA+PGDE, and B.Sc+PGDE graduates to build a career in teaching and contribute meaningfully to qualitative service delivery in the State.”
READ ALSO:FG Specifies TRCN, NTI’s Roles In Teaching Profession
According to the commission, applicants are required to submit applications strictly online via https://subebjobs.lagosstate.gov.ng.
The statement warned that physical submissions would not be entertained and stressed that the board has not authorised anyone to collect money for the exercise, which is completely free.
It stated that the documents for application include, O’ Level Certificate (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB), Degree Certificate or NCE Certificate, and NYSC Discharge or Exemption Certificate, as applicable.
READ ALSO:Job Seekers Protest Alleged Fake Employment Letters For Ondo Teaching Jobs
The board also noted that notifications or statements of results issued beyond two years would not be accepted.
“LASUBEB has not engaged or authorised any individual or group to collect money for this exercise. The application is absolutely free.
“Closing Date: The portal will close on 14th October, 2025,” the statement concluded.
News
FG Approves New NYSC Mandatory Regulations

President Bola Tinubu has approved the compliance with the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) a mandatory requirement for mobilisation into or exemption from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The provides that, effective from Oct. 6, no Nigerian graduate – whether from a Nigerian university, polytechnic, college of education, or an overseas institution would be mobilised for or exempted from NYSC without proof of NERD compliance.
This directive was contained in a circular issued to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on Sunday in Abuja.
The directive does not, however, affect serving Corps members or those enrolled before the enforcement date.
Akume said that the compliance directive was to convey the approval for the adjustment of “NYSC mobilisation criteria in accordance with the President’s regulation requiring proof of NERD Policy compliance for all prospective Corps members, regardless of where they were educated.”
READ ALSO:NYSC Reiterates Provision Of Community Development Services (more…)
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