Pastor arrested for abduction, fake prophecies In Ogun State

In a disturbing turn of events, a pastor known as Sunday, affiliated with a Cherubim and Seraphim Church situated in the Agbado region of Ogun State, has found himself in police custody on charges related to bogus prophecies and the alleged abduction of a 21-year-old woman identified as Aliu Blessing.

According to the Ogun State Police Command, in an exclusive conversation with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, the victim had initially visited the church to take care of her ailing sister. However, matters took a sinister twist when the pastor purportedly prophesied that she would meet her demise on her wedding day unless she engaged in sexual relations with him.

What’s more, the pastor allegedly claimed that any man attempting to have a romantic relationship with a woman other than himself would also face a grim fate.

In the wake of these deceptive prophecies, it has come to light that the pastor purportedly abducted Blessing on February 2, 2023, taking her to an undisclosed location, which plunged her family into deep anguish and confusion.

After a harrowing seven-month ordeal, the victim’s uncle, Aliu Yusuf, reported the situation to the police. It was a shock for the family when Blessing returned home on November 5, 2023, and narrated how Sunday had taken her to his family residence in Ilaro and subsequently to a hotel. Here, she alleges he engaged in multiple non-consensual sexual encounters with her.

Regarding the arrest of the suspect, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, confirmed that the accused has admitted to the crimes during the interrogation process. He is presently in police custody and will face prosecution once the investigation concludes.

Furthermore, the police spokesperson shared that the victim has been taken to the hospital after displaying signs of mental distress, or possibly, a psychiatric condition. The incident remains a deeply distressing example of abuse of trust and manipulation within a religious context.