Nigeria: Ekiti Pastor Arrested on Charges of Alleged Kidnapping of Church Members’ Children
By Ahmad Hadizat Omayoza, Mamos Nigeria
The controversial founder of Christ High Commission Church in Omuo-Oke, Ekiti State, Noah Abraham, known for the previous incident where he allegedly collected money from church members as a “ticket to heaven,” has been re-arrested for more serious offenses.
This time, the Ekiti State Police Command, in collaboration with the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), arrested the pastor for allegedly kidnapping over nine individuals, including minors, and impregnating the wife of his choir coordinator. Some hostages were reportedly children of his members whom he had manipulated and turned against their parents.
Parents, church members, and the legal wife of Pastor Abraham staged a protest at the Ekiti State Police Command, pleading with the government and appropriate authorities to assist in rescuing their children and relatives from the pastor’s captivity. According to them, Pastor Abraham compelled children to withdraw from school and made arbitrary decisions affecting the lives of individuals, including a 27-year-old man forced to resign from his job and kept without a specific mission.
The choir coordinator confirmed the pastor’s actions, stating that his wife was taken away, impregnated, and forced to live with the pastor against her will. Mrs. Mary Abraham, the pastor’s wife, recounted being forced out of her home by her husband to make room for the choir coordinator’s wife.
Numerous allegations were made against Pastor Abraham, including financial exploitation, forced resignations, and manipulation of church members. Victims expressed their grievances, detailing the pastor’s influence over them, leading to significant personal and financial losses.
In response to these allegations, Pastor Abraham claimed that the “heaven ticket” incident was his first assignment, suggesting he had fulfilled his purpose on Earth and was ready to return to his creator. The investigation, conducted in collaboration with NAPTIP, is ongoing, and the Ekiti State Police Command spokesman assured that appropriate actions would be taken.
Pastor Abraham had been previously arrested in April 2022 for collecting money from individuals as a “ticket fee to heaven” but was granted bail by a Magistrate court.
