Police Arrest Six Fake Pastors Over Staged Miracles in Ondo

Police Arrest Six Fake Pastors Over Staged Miracles in Ondo

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested six men accused of posing as pastors and defrauding residents of Idanre and neighbouring communities through staged miracles and fake religious activities.

The suspects — Fadahunsi, Kolade, Tijani, Iyanuoluwa, Arijesulola, and Ademola — were apprehended during an intelligence-driven operation carried out on February 16, 2026, by Community Safety Officers in collaboration with tactical units of the command.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Kazeem, the arrests followed weeks of surveillance after security agencies received credible reports about a suspected fraud syndicate operating under the guise of religious ministry in Idanre and its environs.

Police investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly set up temporary worship centres, where they staged scripted miracles, prophecies, and spiritual interventions to gain the trust of unsuspecting victims. Some members of the group reportedly acted as planted “converts” or “testifiers,” claiming instant healing or breakthroughs to convince others of the group’s supposed divine powers.

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Authorities said the suspects exploited people’s faith, desperation, and vulnerabilities, promising divine solutions to financial hardship, health challenges, infertility, and personal struggles, while collecting money under labels such as “seed sowing,” “special prayers,” and “deliverance fees.”

Further findings showed that the group operated in a well-coordinated and organised manner, with each suspect assigned specific roles, including lead preaching, crowd mobilisation, and fund collection, creating what police described as a convincing façade of legitimacy.

Items recovered during the operation reportedly include religious garments, anointing oils, prayer handbills, mobile phones, and written materials suspected to contain scripted miracle plans and financial records linked to the alleged scams.

Police said investigations are ongoing to determine the total number of victims, assess the financial scale of the fraud, and identify additional collaborators who may still be at large.

The suspects remain in police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Ondo State Police Command has warned members of the public to exercise caution and due diligence, particularly when dealing with individuals or groups that use religion, spirituality, or miracle claims as a cover for illegal activities. Residents were urged to report suspicious religious or financial schemes to the nearest police station.

Police Arrest Six Fake Pastors Over Staged Miracles in Ondo