News

[BREAKING] AK-47: Police Detain Abuja Pastor, Recommend Inspector’s Dismissal

Published

3 years ago

February 13, 2023

Editor

The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Command, Sadiq Abubakar, has made a recommendation to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to dismiss a police officer, Inspector Musa Audu, who will be facing an orderly room trial for handing over his rifle to the Presiding Pastor, House on the Rock, Abuja Chapter, Uche Aigbe, on Sunday.

Inspector Audu and Pastor Aigbe have also been detained by the Intelligence Response Team, Force Intelligence Bureau, Garki, Abuja, on Monday, our correspondent observed during a visit on Monday.

The PUNCH reports that Aigbe had caused a stir on Sunday when he mounted the pulpit carrying an AK 47 rifle during the second service, which frequently has a high turnout of the congregation who comes from different parts of the FCT.

Brandishing the gun, the pastor picked his way to the altar as many members of his congregation exchanged glances trying to understand what was happening.

It was, however, not known if the gun he brandished was loaded or not.

An unflinching Aigbe walked up to the lectern, aware of the tension his action had created, without looking at his worshippers.

But as he made attempt to open his Bible, the preacher looked up and said teasingly, “Some people are looking for my trouble. And I came here prepared.

“Today, there are some pastors with gift of divination who go about ripping people. This is why we should carry our ‘guns’ and defend ourselves. I will particularly be coming very soon for some of you sleeping in the church.”

His response threw the entire gathering into a fit of laughter as he continued preaching on “Guarding your hearts from false teachers” and “faith without work is dead.”

Meanwhile, impeccable sources who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity on Monday said the police swung into action following The PUNCH’s report on Sunday.

A source said, “We got the report at about 10:50 pm on Sunday on PUNCH Newspaper’s online publication that Pastor Uche Aigbe of the House on the Rock Church mounted the pulpit with an AK 47 rifle.

“Our discrete investigation later revealed that a police officer, Inspector Musa Audu, while on church duty on the same day had released his rifle to the pastor without permission.”

Another source further confirmed that the officer had been detained and would be facing orderly trial.

“The Inspector has been arrested. When he was questioned, he noted that he gave the gun to the pastor for demonstration purposes during church service.

“Audu has now been detained alongside the pastor. But the FCT CP has submitted a recommendation to the IG for Audu’s dismissal, and he will be facing an orderly room trial soon.”

However, sources within House on the Rock Church revealed that the church founder, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, has not been happy with Aigbe concerning the situation, and Aigbe may likely be transferred out of Abuja.

The source also said the senior church members had been angry with Aigbe throughout yesterday, adding that the pastor had not been himself since the report of the incident made it to the public.

When contacted, the FCT Police Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she would get back to our correspondent concerning the progress of the case.

“We’re on the case, I’ll get back to you on our progress soon,” Adeh said.

Meanwhile, the Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who tweeted on Sunday and Monday, said the police had commenced an investigation into the incident, adding that the Inspector General of Police had ordered the CP, FCT to handle the case.

“We have requested the video of the service to hear what the pastor was saying. How did he get the gun, maybe from a security agent. He has been invited by the CP FCT. The IGP has ordered the CP to handle it and revert, so that Nigerians will know what transpired. Thanks,” Adejobi tweeted on Monday.

Tweeting on Sunday, he said, “If it’s true, the pastor will have a case to answer. AK47?? It falls under prohibited firearms in Nigeria, and no one bears it except an officer of the law, and not all of them have the right, only selected security operatives, but no individual has the right to bear it.”

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.