The Benue State Police Command has arrested two suspects for beating a pastor who is also a lecturer to a pulp over a boy’s missing penis in Makurdi.
The victim, identified as Dr. Emmanuel Aime, is a chief lecturer at the Akawe Torkula Polytechnic Makurdi and also a pastor with the Living Faith Church, also known as Winners’ Chapel, located at Wurukum, Makurdi.
The pastor was said to have gone to preach the word of God on Wednesday, at about 9:30am when he was accused of stealing the boy’s penis while praying for him.
The pastor was then beaten to a coma by a mob in front of a commercial bank located in the Wurukum area of Makurdi.
According to an eyewitness account, commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders) arrived at the scene as the majority of the young men joined in manhandling the cleric.
An eyewitness said, “The pastor was only preaching and evangelising close to the bank. Suddenly, a boy he prayed for started shouting that Dr Aime had stolen his penis.
“The man would have been lynched if not for the intervention of soldiers who were passing by,” he said.
Describing the incident as unfortunate, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, said two suspects involved in the beating had been arrested and would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The police spokesperson said it was a shame that some people had disregard for law and bent on taking laws into their hands, calling on traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and other stakeholders to rise up in the fight against the act.
She said, “What a shame to some people. They don’t have respect for the law, not for elders or anybody. How can this happen in this generation? Let’s educate people please. This is too bad. Two suspects have been arrested and they will be dealt with accordingly.’’
(NAN)