I'm Now a Disgrace to Body of Christ: Pastor Begs God for Forgiveness after Kidnapping Catholic Priest

I'm Now a Disgrace to Body of Christ: Pastor Begs God for Forgiveness after Kidnapping Catholic Priest

  • A Christian cleric, Izuchukwu Anoloba, has been nabbed by the police for kidnapping a fellow man of God, Fr Fidelis Ekemgba
  • Anoloba alongside his colleagues held their victim for more than a week and collected a ransom of N5 million from him
  • Upon his arrest, Pastor Anoloba said he regretted his actions, adding that he has become a disgrace to the body of Christ and his family

Owerri, Imo state - Pastor Izuchukwu Anoloba, aged 35, has been arrested alongside others by the operatives of the Imo state police command for kidnapping a Catholic priest, Fr Fidelis Ekemgba.

The Punch reported that Anoloba and his gang members who were paraded by the state's commissioner of police, Rabiu Hussaini, held the priest for over seven days and made him to pay a ransom of N5 million to them.

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Izuchukwu Anoloba: Pastor Begs God for Forgiveness after Kidnapping Catholic Priest
Imo police operatives arrest one Pastor Izuchukwu Anoloba and others for kidnapping a Catholic priest, Fr Fidelis Ekemgba. Photo credit: Nigeria Police Force
Source: Facebook

Legit.ng gathers that the Imo police chief, Hussaini, said the pastor was arrested in Lagos following intelligence gathering by men of the anti-kidnapping unit of the command.

The kidnapped priest, aged 45, is in charge of St. Peters Catholic Parish in Umunohu Amakaohia in the Ihitte/Uboma local government area of Imo state.

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He was reportedly double-crossed and whisked away by his abductors.

Anoloba confesses, says he got got N1.5m from the N5m ransom

Pastor Anoloba reportedly confessed, saying that he got N1.5m from the ransom the priest paid them, Daily Trust also stated.

The cleric who reportedly begged God for forgiveness was quoted to have said:

“I am a pastor with Apostolic Church of Christ in Lagos. I got N1.5 million from the kidnap of the priest. I never knew I would be arrested. I regret my actions because I am now a disgrace to the body of Christ and my family.”

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Nigerians react

Ali Abubakar commented on Facebook:

"I always believe that our problem in Nigeria is never religious but people are blindfolded by agents of the devil to hate one another in the name of religion."

Nwoko Oboro said:

"God isn't human with wicked heart, he will forgive him and bless him the way he forgave David and blessed him!!!"

Habeeb Adeola Alaran said:

"Na wá ooo and so many people will be going for healing not knowing this man need spiritual healing than them.
"PLS pray to God by yourself, not a must to use pastor. This one might have kidnapped wealthy people in the church self.
"Nigeria Police, well done God bless u. Na them they preach religion intolerance pass for alter. One by one God go expose all of Una....."

Feyi Ogunlesi said:

"That someone is a pastor does not mean that he is child of God or knows what he is doing please. The word of God makes the difference in people's lives."

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Jethro Ajagbe said:

"Jesus Christ of Nazareth, what is this our Country turning into? Is any wealthy members of his church safe in his hands? All because of these worldly vanities, Heavenly father, have mercy."

Fans react as pastor says Davido won’t make heaven if he doesn’t pay tithe from N201m

In other news, a Nigerian pastor called Goodheart Val Aloysius has commented on the N201 million donation Davido received from his friends.

Pastor Goodheart noted that not separating a part of the money for God may deny the Assurance crooner a place in heaven.

The pastor's statement has got Nigerians talking on social media as many faulted the clergyman's position.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Nurudeen Lawal avatar

Nurudeen Lawal (Head of Politics and Current Affairs Desk) Nurudeen Lawal is an AFP-certified journalist with a wealth of experience spanning over 8 years. He received his B/Arts degree in Literature-in-English from OAU. Lawal is the Head of the Politics/CA Desk at Legit.ng, where he applies his expertise to provide incisive coverage of events. He was named the Political Desk Head of the Year (Nigeria Media Nite-Out Award 2023). He is also a certified fact-checker (Dubawa fellowship, 2020). Contact him at lawal.nurudeen@corp.legit.ng or +2347057737768.

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