Church founder, wife, elders arrested in Delta for alleged kidnapping

THE founder and General Overseer of the Manifestations of Holy Ghost Ministry, Bishop Godfrey Erhivwinoja, his wife and church elders have been arrested for an alleged kidnap attempt in Delta State.

The police operatives also reportedly recovered military fatigue from the bishop’s associates during a search warrant.

The suspects were arrested by a combined team of security agents over an alleged attempt to kidnap a fellow Bishop in Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that Bishop Erhivwinoja, who was arrested along with his wife, assistant, elders and others have been detained at the Ughelli A’ Division.

Bishop Erhivwinoja’s church, Manifestations of Holy Ghost Ministry, is located at Owhofasa Street in Agbarho.

He was reportedly traced to his hideout after getting wind of the arrest of his wife and others.

A source revealed to a local online medium the confessions of one of the arrested elders: “Our Bishop sent a text message of kidnapping and assassination to the other Bishop (name withheld) whose church is more populated than his, demanding N150,000.

“And out of fear, the threatened bishop quickly sent the sum of N100,000 to the account provided in the text message.

“And the delay in sending the balance of N50,000 resulted in multiple kidnappings and assassination text messages.”

According to him, the text message reads: “Hello Bishop, this is me Dust to Dust the member black axe cultist (Eye) Ugolo Zone.

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“Be informed that we were asked to assassinate u, kidnap and kill u right in your church at Agbarho, but we therefore decided to change our mind based on one condition.

“We are demanding a ransom of 150K from u which should be transferred into our account today Monday 10th June.”

The source said that out of fear of death, the threatened bishop,
“transferred N100,000 to the (first generation) bank account of an elder in the church.

“While looking for money to balance the payment, they sent another text to him with the caption, “Hey you feel say we no Go fit do u anything. No worry na back we go take enter you.

“Do not border to come to your church on Sunday as we are going to shoot you in your head and chest to ensure that you do not survive as we are urging you to say your last prayers.”

The source further hinted that in the messages sent by the assailants to the bishop, “the suspect revealed that his name is on the wanted list at Ekpan, Agbarho and Ughelli Police stations because of the havoc he has committed.

“Do you know how many people we don kill? The chief that died by the railway line was wasted by us and if you can remember, Olorogun Tramador that died was kidnapped by us.

“Upon his arrest by the combined team of police, and a search conducted in his house, three army uniforms and many Sim cards were recovered.”

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe, has not responded to our correspondent’s enquiries by the time the report was filed.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE