The Nigeria Police Force says it will investigate the pastor who mounted the pulpit with an AK-47 rifle on Sunday in the Federal Capital Territory.
Pastor Uche Aigbe, Presiding Pastor of the House on the Rock Church in Abuja, caused a stir during Sunday Service when he mounted the pulpit carrying an AK-47 rifle.
The incident occurred during the second service, which has a large congregation from all over the Federal Capital Territory.
The pastor made his way to the altar, brandishing the gun, as many members of his congregation exchanged glances, trying to figure out what was going on.
Without looking at his worshippers, an unflinching Aigbe walked up to the lectern, aware of the tension his actions had created.
But as he made an attempt to open his Bible, the preacher looked up and said teasingly, “Some people are looking for my trouble. And I came here prepared.”
However, the Force’s Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated on his verified Twitter handle in response to the incident, that the AK-47 rifle is a prohibited firearm in Nigeria and that only certain law enforcement officers are permitted to use it.
He wrote, “But if it’s true, the pastor will have a case to answer. AK47??. It falls under prohibited Firearms in Nigeria, and no one bears it except an officer of the law, and not all of them have the right, selected sec operatives, but no individual has the right to bear it.
“The FCT police command will investigate it, I trust the new CP FCT, CP Sadiq,.. it’s shocking.”