The presiding pastor of the Abuja chapter of the House on the Rock, Pastor Uche Aigbe, on Sunday mounted the pulpit carrying an AK 47 rifle.
According to report, the incident took place during the second service, which frequently has a high turnout of the congregation who comes from different parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
Brandishing the gun, the pastor picked his way to the altar as many members of his congregation exchanged glances trying to understand what was happening.
It was, however, not known if the gun he brandished was loaded or not.
An unflinching Aigbe walked up to the lectern, aware of the tension his action had created, without looking at his worshippers.
But as he made attempt to open his Bible, the preacher looked up and said teasingly, “Some people are looking for my trouble. And I came here prepared.
“Today, there are some pastors with gift of divination who go about ripping people. This is why we should carry our ‘guns’ and defend ourselves. I will particularly be coming very soon for some of you sleeping in the church.”
His response threw the entire gathering into a fit of laughter as he continued preaching on “Guarding your hearts from false teachers” and “faith without work is dead.”
Consequently, the commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Command, Sadiq Abubakar, has made a recommendation to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to dismiss a police officer, Inspector Musa Audu, who will be facing an orderly room trial for handing over his rifle to the Presiding Pastor on Sunday,
In a statement on Monday evening, the church said Aigbe carried the gun to illustrate his message to the congregation.
The statement reads: “On Sunday, February 12, a resident pastor of House on the Rock, Abuja Church, Pastor Uche Aigbe in a message about fighting the good fight with spiritual weapons, carried an unloaded gun to illustrate his message on ‘Guarding your Faith.’
“Pastor Uche has been a leader in House on the Rock, Abuja since 1999 and has always shown exemplary leadership. However, he realises that even with the best of intentions, carrying a gun to illustrate his message was ill-advised and regrettable.
“Without hesitation, Pastor Uche has acknowledged the gravity of his actions and apologises unreservedly for them.
“As a church, House on the Rock rejects all forms of violence and we stand on the good news gospel of Jesus Christ which embraces peace and goodwill for all of mankind.
“We are cooperating fully with the authorities as they carry out their investigations into this incident, and we will continue to engage internally to ensure this break in protocol does not happen again.”
DAILY GIST reported that Inspector Audu and Pastor Aigbe are currently being detained by the Intelligence Response Team, Force Intelligence Bureau, Garki in Abuja.
