AG Church invasion: Plateau Police set to arrest perpetrators

By Margret Bankole

Following the drama that engulfed the Assemblies of God Church in Langtang North on Sunday,the Plateau State Police Command has intensify moves to apprehend the culprits.

Speaking to Eagle Eye News24 in Jos, Plateau State Police Public Relations Officer,DSP Alfred Alabo said that the situation has been put under control by the combine efforts of the DPO and the Area Commander in the axis.

“We have put the situation under control, the DPO and the Area Commander in that axis  are doing every thing possible on their part to arrest the situation. I can tell you that on that same day they were able to arrest the situation and some names were given to our men because some of the worshipers were able to identify the perpetrators”.

Responding on the issue of arrest of the culprits by the police, he said that so far some persons have been identified.

“So far, like I said earlier some names have been given to us and when  I reach out to our men in  Langtang North,I will be able to tell you if at all any arrest has been made and the numbers of persons that has been arrested so far. Well for now we don’t want to disrupt the ongoing investigation. I know they will get back to me on the development and by God’s grace we will get the perpetrators arrested because their actions were wrong.

Everybody have the right to worship in whatever way they want, so nobody has the right to deprive any person of his way of worship. I can assure you that the state commissioner of Police is not taking the matter likely not even on his watch”.

Meanwhile the District Superintendent of Assemblies Of God Church,Jos Mainland District,Rev.Ezekiel Solomon condemned the evil act.

In his words:”The Church can’t be subjected to the traditions of the masquerades.It is one way of persecuting and frustrating the Church.In many parts of Plateau State like Shendam,Pankshin you see such fetish traditions”.

 On whether the AG Church will seek redress over the matter, he said:

”We would have to make wider consultation with the National Headquarters and our lawyers before we can take the next move but I need to get the full details of the issue because I was only informed of the matter by the former supervisor of the area, Rev.F.Datur because the presiding supervisor,Rev.Simon Longpan’s phone lines was not going”.

Recall that last Sunday Masquerades invaded the Assemblies of God Church in the Shikal community, Langtang North local government area of Plateau State and disrupted service as they flogged bewildered worshippers, destroying Church property.

It was gathered that the masquerades arrived at the Church premises while service was ongoing and started flogging worshippers as they scamper for safety.

The invaders later turned to the Church’s musical instruments and other property and destroyed them.

EAGLE EYE NEWS24 gathered that the invasion by the masquerades was in response to the warnings given to the community not to flout the order that women should not be seen outside and there should not be any Church services during the time of their festival .