Police arrest suspect who set church ablaze for preaching against tradition

By Edwin Daniel

Policemen from zone six of Nigeria Police Force have arrested a 44-year-old Ogban Emmanuel who led some youths in Adim town in Biase LGA of Cross River State to set ablaze a church.
Christ Divine Liberation International Ministry is said to have been founded by one Rev. Victor Okon who had petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police of zone six command.

The youths were reported to have expressed anger against the church.
They alleged that they were preaching against their traditional practices as well as holding crusade activities in their community when their festival was ongoing.

The prime suspect Ogban Emmanuel told journalists that the incident happened in October 2023.
On interrogation, the prime suspect confessed that, “The petitioner’s church was preaching against their tradition and holding crusades during community festivals and should be set ablaze and demolished.”
In a statement signed by SP Nelson Okpabi, Zone six PRO of Nigeria Police, the suspect also confessed that he personally led the youths to the church.

“They stole offering money and money kept in the pastor’s house before setting the church and bungalow ablaze.
“Effort is in top gear to apprehend the fleeing suspects.”