An international NGO championing freedom of religion and Belief in Nigeria and other countries have promised to intervene in the case of a radical traditional religion preacher, Mathias Ezeaku, who was arrested on Sunday morning in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Mr. Ezeaku, who operates a traditional worship centre known as ‘Omenani Bu Uzo Eziokwu Na Ndu’, had last year burnt the Holy Bible to spite Christians in a viral video clip, and has remained critical of many Christian pastors, reason people believe his arrest must have been as a result of complaints by a popular pastor.
He was arrested on Sunday morning by operatives of Nigeria Police Force, immediately he arrived his worship centre; which had gained followership recently.
Confirming his arrest, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, for the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said contrary to thoughts that he was kidnapped, Mr. Ezeaku was arrested by a combined team of police officers from Abuja and State CID annex, Awkuzu over an ongoing investigation, and that he has been moved to Abuja.
Reacting to the arrest of the traditional religion preacher, a member of the group who pleaded anonymity to avoid jeopardizing efforts, said “We will come in and see how much support we can provide”.
The NGO, through its offices in Abuja, Jos, Maiduguri, Adamawa and Portharcourt, is working to promote peacebuilding and religious acceptance in Nigeria by fostering understanding and peace across ethnic, religious and gender lines in areas of tension.
