Police in Ondo arrest 6 ‘miracle pastors’

BY ADETOKUNBO ABIOLA

Officers of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested six men in Idanre Local Government Area, for posing as pastors and spiritual leaders, claiming they could perform miracles and provide divine solutions to financial problems, health issues, and personal challenges, only to defraud unsuspecting victims.

This was contained in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Jimoh Abayomi, and distributed to newsmen in Akure, the state capital.

According to the statement, the suspects—Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola, and Ademola—staged fake spiritual interventions to gain the trust of their victims before extorting money.

Suspicious of their activities, the Police Command’s Tactical Teams and Community Safety Officers carried out a coordinated operation to effect the arrests on February 16, 2026.

To make the scam look legitimate, so as to hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public, the suspects worked in a highly organized manner, with each member playing a specific role.

“The suspects exploited the faith and emotions of members of the public for financial gain,” said DSP Abayomi Jimoh.

“We urge residents to be vigilant and verify claims of miracles or spiritual interventions before handing over money.”

Police are unsure whether additional collaborators are at large, so further investigations are ongoing to determine this, as well as the total number of victims and the amount defrauded

The suspects remain in police custody and will be charged to court once the investigation is complete, the incident a stark reminder of the need for caution when dealing with individuals claiming to possess miraculous powers.