The Anambra State Police operatives have arrested a traditional preacher, Mr Mathias Ezeaku, in Nkpor, near Onitsha, Anambra State.
Ezeaku, who operates what he refers to as a traditional worship centre, has been critical of the Christian religion and has also criticized many known pastors, referring to them as fake.
The preacher was arrested on Sunday morning by men in police uniforms as he arrived at his worship centre.
A video trending on social media showed Ezeaku resisting arrest and his members also putting up stiff resistance.
The incident led to sporadic gunshots by the operatives, leaving one of the members of the centre shot in the leg.
A message that Ezeaku had posted on his Facebook handle early on Sunday morning, urging his members to join him for worship, read: “Don’t forget to join us today as we adore and uplift the name of our ancestors and creator Chukwuokikeabiama. Time is 9 am at Amafor Town Hall Nkpor opposite the new type market Enugu Onitsha expressway.”
Some centre members protested the arrest of Ezeaku and traced his arresters to the Police Annex in Awkuzu, where they identified some of the operatives involved in the operation. They decried his arrest, saying that the operatives could not show any arrest warrant or even identify themselves properly.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command has denied knowledge of his arrest.
The spokesman of the state police command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, told our correspondent that he was unaware of the arrest of such a person. However, he promised to get back to us once it is confirmed.