David Anifowose, the pastor of the church in Valentino area of Ondo town, Ondo State where at least 77 people were found on Friday night by police officers has said he received instructions from God that they should camp in the church until his second coming.
Speaking while being paraded at the police headquarters, along Igbatoro Akure, the Ondo State capital on Saturday, the pastor said: “I was the one that received the instruction from God that the people can stay in the church and wait for his second coming. And my members were waiting for the second coming of Jesus when the policemen invaded the church and arrested us.”
Twenty-five children and 52 adults allegedly kidnapped were discovered in the church’s basement on Friday night.
According to information gathered, the children were allegedly victims of a kidnapping syndicate and kept in the underground of the church.
In a widely shared video, the children were seen being driven to the police station by security operatives in a patrol car.
A voice could be heard saying, “There are kidnapped children recovered in the underground cell of a church in Valentino Area of Ondo,” in a video which lasted one minute and 40 seconds.
Speaking on the development, SP Funmilayo Odunlami, the state command’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed that the victims had been brought to the police headquarters in Akure.
“They are transporting the casualties to the headquarters, but I’m still unsure of the specifics.
“I will provide you with the information as soon as I receive it from the DPO.”
The pastor and some members of the church had been detained by the police.
