*Subjects members to 3 days fasting, prayers in Ibadan
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
A self acclaimed Pastor, Owen Abraham is now at large after allegedly collecting 52 Android and iPhones, money, and valuables of residents at a crusade in Ibadan.
New Nigerian gathered that the self acclaimed pastor reportedly collected the 52 Android and iPhones, money, and valuables of residents after a five-day crusade he organised in Aponrin Agbowo area of Ibadan.
Abraham according to sources, was said to have claimed that he was led by God to come to Ibadan from Gambia for the five days crusade to begin with three days fasting and prayer and that on the last day of the crusade, he told those at the crusade that Holy Spirit directed him to inform them to submit their phones and valuables, before absconding with them.
One of those at the crusade, Mrs Grace Akintola while narrating her experience, said since Tuesday (this week) Abraham was no where to be found
She said Abraham before the crusade, promised to give widows a bag of rice each and money as well as to empower students and give them scholarship.
“The self acclaimed pastor approached an Igbo lady in our area to assist him to gather widows and students, saying he wants to help us. Someone in my area invited me for the crusade; the crusader wears pastor’s regalia. He said he will buy a house for one of us, he said the house is fully furnished”, she said.
Mrs. Akintola added, “He promised some people who attended the crusade money; even politicians cannot give out such money he promised. On the last day of the crusade, he sold bottled water for us at the rate of N4,800. He said perfume is inside the bottled water, many people paid for the water.”
Also, one of the students among the victims, said the pastor ordered them to fast for three days and as well collected their phones so that they can focus on the prayers. But unknown to them, he had other plans.
“He said no phone should ring, that was why he collected all the phones. In fact, a lady stood up and wanted to snap him, he seized the phone from her. On the last day of the crusade, he said he wanted to go and rest at the hotel where he lodged.
” He later said he wanted to go and eat at UI, we didn’t know how he escaped with our belongings. As a man of God, we respected him a lot, we didn’t know that he wanted to use the name of God to dupe us,” the student said.
New Nigerian learnt that the matter has been reported to the Police at the Bodija Police station, while investigation is ongoing on the matter.
