By Babalola Seyi
The Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Command, Sadiq Abubakar, has made a recommendation to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to dismiss a police officer, Inspector Musa Audu, who will be facing an orderly room trial for handing over his rifle to the Presiding Pastor, House on the Rock, Abuja Chapter, Uche Aigbe, on Sunday.
Inspector Audu and Pastor Aigbe have also been detained by the Intelligence Response Team, Force Intelligence Bureau, Garki, Abuja, on Monday.
Metrowatchxtra reports that Aigbe had caused a stir on Sunday when he mounted the pulpit carrying an AK 47 rifle during the second service, which frequently has a high turnout of the congregation who comes from different parts of the FCT.
Brandishing the gun, the pastor picked his way to the altar as many members of his congregation exchanged glances trying to understand what was happening.
An unflinching Aigbe walked up to the lectern, aware of the tension his action had created, without looking at his worshippers.
But as he made attempt to open his Bible, the preacher looked up and said teasingly, “Some people are looking for my trouble. And I came here prepared.
Upon how the news went viral the police commenced investigation on how the Pastor got the gun in which he brought to the church.
A source said, “We got the report at about 10:50 pm on Sunday that Pastor Uche Aigbe of the House on the Rock Church mounted the pulpit with an AK 47 rifle.
“Our discrete investigation later revealed that a police officer, Inspector Musa Audu, while on church duty on the same day had released his rifle to the pastor without permission.”
Another source further confirmed that the officer had been detained and would be facing orderly trial.
“The Inspector has been arrested. When he was questioned, he noted that he gave the gun to the pastor for demonstration purposes during church service.
“Audu has now been detained alongside the pastor. But the FCT CP has submitted a recommendation to the IG for Audu’s dismissal, and he will be facing an orderly room trial soon.”
However, sources within House on the Rock Church revealed that the church founder, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, has not been happy with Aigbe concerning the situation, and Aigbe may likely be transferred out of Abuja.
The source also said the senior church members had been angry with Aigbe throughout yesterday, adding that the pastor had not been himself since the report of the incident made it to the public.
When contacted, the FCT Police Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she would get back to newsmen concerning the progress of the case.
“We’re on the case, I’ll get back to you on our progress soon,” Adeh said.
Meanwhile, the Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who tweeted on Sunday and Monday, said the police had commenced an investigation into the incident, adding that the Inspector General of Police had ordered the CP, FCT to handle the case.
“We have requested the video of the service to hear what the pastor was saying. How did he get the gun, maybe from a security agent. He has been invited by the CP FCT. The IGP has ordered the CP to handle it and revert, so that Nigerians will know what transpired. Thanks,” Adejobi tweeted on Monday.
