Police arrest six 'pastors' over alleged fake miracle scam in Ondo
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested six self-acclaimed pastors over an alleged fake miracle and spiritual healing scam in Idanre Local Government Area of the state. The command’s spokesperson,
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested six self-acclaimed pastors over an alleged fake miracle and spiritual healing scam in Idanre Local Government Area of the state.
The command's spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement in Akure, saying the suspects were apprehended during a coordinated intelligence-led operation.
He listed the suspects as all male, including Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola and Ademola.
Jimoh said operatives of the command's tactical teams, working with Community Safety Officers (CSOs), carried out the raid on February 16 following credible information about the activities of a suspected fraud syndicate operating in Idanre and neighbouring communities.
According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the group allegedly posed as pastors and religious leaders, staging fake miracles and spiritual interventions to gain the confidence of unsuspecting victims.
He explained that the suspects reportedly exploited people's faith and vulnerabilities by promising divine solutions to financial, health and personal challenges, only to defraud them through various forms of obtaining by false pretence.
"The suspects operated in a coordinated manner, assigning specific roles to members of the group to create a convincing and structured façade of legitimacy," Jimoh said.
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He added that further investigations were ongoing to determine the number of victims, the financial scale of the fraud, and possible collaborators still at large.
He explained that all the six suspects are currently in police custody and will be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
The command urged residents to be vigilant and avoid individuals who use religion or claims of miracles as cover for criminal activities, advising the public to verify suspicious claims and promptly report dubious gatherings to the nearest police station.
Jimoh, however, reaffirmed the command's commitment to sustaining intelligence gathering and community partnership to rid the state of criminal elements and ensure the safety of lives and property.
