Two Rivers pastors arrested after caskets, skulls and other fetish items were discovered in their churches

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested two pastors, Prophet Bassey Umoren (60) and Prophet Elijah Anietie (50) following the discovery of fetish items, including caskets, monkey skulls, and carved skeletons in their respective churches.

The pastors, who were apprehended by youths of Rumunduru community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, are the founders of God’s Deliverance Apostolic Church and Power House of Glory International Gospel Church, both located along Eneka Road in Rumunduru.

The spokesperson of the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this on Thursday, January 23, 2025, while parading the suspects at the police headquarters in Port Harcourt.

“This case, which has been trending on social media, involves two pastors reported by youths of Rumunduru community, led by their youth leader, Henry Worlu, on January 20, 2025, at about 9 am,” the PPRO stated.

“The youths brought the suspects, Prophet Umoren Bassey and Prophet Elijah Anietie, both of Akwa Ibom State origin and handed them over to the police for discreet investigation.”

She listed the items recovered from their churches including several photographs—some of which were of children—small caskets, spiritual books, carved images, wooden skulls, crosses, and other ritual items.

The spokesperson noted that investigations into the matter were ongoing to ascertain the full extent of their activities and possible victims.

Meanwhile, the youths of the Rumunduru community have been lauded for their vigilance in exposing the alleged activities of the suspects, which they claimed posed a spiritual and social threat to the community.