By Chidi Nkwopara (VANGUARD) Owerri — Timely intervention of a team of police men from Isiala Mbano Police Division reportedly saved the life of a self-styled Pentecostal preacher simply identified as Pastor Obinna and his wife from being lynched.
Vanguard was told that some angry Amauzari youths had completed arrangement to dispatch the preacher for his alleged involvement in the kidnap of a one month old baby for ritual purpose.
Vanguard gathered that the Pentecostal preacher and two others said to be at large, allegedly stormed a family residence in Okwuosu Amauzari at about 1.30am and kidnapped the innocent baby at gun point.
A villager, who spoke on strict grounds of anonymity, said that the piercing cry of the baby’s mother attracted members of the vigilante group and they went in hot pursuit of the hoodlums.
It was further gathered that the pastor took the baby to his residence in Umuezeduru, Amauzari, adding that the endless cry of the baby aroused suspicion and people’s attention.
“Sensing serious trouble, the pastor put a call across to another set of vigilante group from Afor Amauzari, alleging that some armed robbers had invaded his home”, the villager recounted.
According to the man, when the two groups entered the pastor’s house, they saw the pastor’s wife breastfeeding the baby.
“Not satisfied with the drama playing out before them, the group from Okwuosu decided to go and bring the mother of the stolen baby. She quickly indentified her baby on arrival and the pastor and his wife were immediately arrested”, the villager said.
Answering a question, the villager disclosed that a pistol was recovered from Pastor Obinna and on interrogation he named one Bright as one of his colleagues in crime.
Efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mrs. Joy Eleoko, a deputy superintendent of police, to speak on the matter failed as her mobile line could not accessed at press time.
