VIDEO: Drama as Ekiti Voters Chase EFCC Operatives Out of Polling Unit

There was mild drama at Polling Unit 10, Ward B, in Iyin-Ekiti on Saturday when some voters confronted operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and demanded their exit from the polling centre during the ongoing Ekiti State governorship election.

The incident occurred while voting was in progress, briefly creating tension at the polling unit before normalcy was restored.

According to eyewitnesses, the EFCC officials had arrived at the polling centre as part of the agency’s efforts to monitor and curb vote-buying, a major electoral offence that has continued to attract the attention of anti-corruption and security agencies during elections across Nigeria.

However, their presence was met with resistance from some voters, who questioned the reason for deploying anti-graft operatives directly to the polling unit.

The voters reportedly argued that there was no evidence of vote-buying at the centre and insisted that the EFCC officials leave the area. Videos circulating on social media showed residents confronting the operatives and escorting them away from the polling unit.

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Despite the brief confrontation, the situation did not escalate into violence, and the electoral process continued peacefully after the officials withdrew from the area.

The incident comes amid heightened efforts by the EFCC and other security agencies to combat electoral malpractice, including vote-buying, voter inducement and other offences capable of undermining the credibility of elections.

Ahead of the poll, security agencies deployed personnel across strategic locations in Ekiti State to ensure a peaceful and transparent election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had also assured voters of adequate arrangements to guarantee a free, fair and credible process.

Some voters at the polling unit expressed support for efforts to prevent vote-buying but maintained that law enforcement agencies must carry out their duties without creating fear or giving the impression of interference in the voting process.

Others argued that the presence of security and anti-corruption agencies is necessary to deter electoral offenders and preserve the integrity of the election.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the EFCC nor INEC had issued an official statement regarding the incident.

Meanwhile, voting and accreditation continued in many parts of the state without major disruptions, with voters turning out to participate in the closely watched Ekiti governorship election.

Political parties and election observers have continued to monitor developments across the state as the contest enters a crucial stage, with the outcome expected to shape Ekiti’s political landscape for the next four years.

VIDEO: Drama as Ekiti Voters Chase EFCC Operatives Out of Polling Unit

Oba of Benin Summons Native Doctors, Priests Over Rising Kidnapping in Edo

The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has summoned native doctors, traditional priests, and priestesses to an emergency meeting as part of renewed efforts to confront rising kidnapping and cult-related violence in Edo State.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Chief Victor Nosakhare on behalf of the Secretary of the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor.

According to the statement, the emergency meeting will hold at the Oba’s Palace in Benin City at 12 noon on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. The palace stressed that the gathering is being convened under the authority of Oba Ewuare II and must be given top priority by all invited stakeholders.

The Benin Traditional Council explained that the purpose of the meeting is to examine how traditional institutions, spiritual leaders, and indigenous practices can support ongoing government efforts to address insecurity in Edo State, where incidents of kidnapping, cult clashes, and other violent crimes have continued to raise concern among residents and authorities.

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The council noted that the increasing wave of insecurity has made it necessary to explore complementary approaches that combine both formal security measures and traditional systems of authority in order to strengthen peace and stability at the community level.

In a related development, the Benin Traditional Council will also hold a separate meeting with youth leaders, popularly known as Okaighele, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the same venue and time.

The back-to-back engagements highlight the Oba’s growing reliance on both spiritual custodians and youth leadership structures in addressing security challenges within the Benin Kingdom and surrounding communities.

The move reflects the increasing involvement of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s broader security architecture, particularly in regions where community-based structures play a significant role in intelligence gathering, conflict resolution, and local enforcement support.

Edo State has continued to experience incidents of kidnapping, highway abductions, and violent cult clashes in recent years, prompting calls for stronger coordination between government, security agencies, and community leaders.

Stakeholders believe that combining formal policing strategies with traditional authority systems may help improve surveillance, intelligence sharing, and conflict prevention at the community level.

The Oba of Benin’s intervention is widely viewed as part of ongoing efforts to restore peace and reinforce cultural authority in addressing insecurity across the state.

Oba of Benin Summons Native Doctors, Priests Over Rising Kidnapping in Edo

Pastor Arrested for Taking 75 Married Women as Wives, Tears Church Apart

The arrest of a 57-year-old Anambra State pastor, Harrison Charles Anazodo, over allegations that he lured 75 married women—most of them members of his congregation—to become his wives has sent shockwaves through his church and community, sparking a fierce debate among followers and neighbours alike. The cleric, who leads the Day Spring Assembly in Awada, Onitsha, was apprehended on June 12, 2026, by operatives of the state’s homeland security outfit, Agunechemba. His arrest, which followed a viral video of a woman detailing his alleged misconduct, has torn his church apart, with some defending him as a true man of God and others calling for his prosecution.

The allegations against Pastor Harrison are extensive and deeply troubling. His victims, who are mostly members of his church, have accused him of forcefully taking their wives for himself and, in some cases, compelling them to swap wives with other church members. The pastor also stands accused of marrying underage girls, using charms to deceive members, and engaging in child trafficking. A resident of the neighbourhood, who identified himself simply as Ekene, said that in that church, they don’t see anything wrong with polygamy because the pastor supports it and even quotes scripture to back it up. He added that when they go for evangelism, men wear female wares while women wear clothes meant for men. He also raised concerns about the church’s midnight vigils, explaining that every Sunday, they observe vigil that starts from 7pm and ends at 5am, but at exactly 12 midnight, all the lights go out and one wonders what transpires within that period. The pastor’s arrest followed a viral video from a lady who accused him of luring married women away from their husbands and converting them into his own wives. According to reports, the cleric’s atrocious activities had been ongoing for over 10 years.

Pastor Harrison Charles Anazodo

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The alleged “last straw” that led to his arrest, according to a source, was linked to the death of one of his members said to be wealthy. The deceased, who attended the church without members of his family, including his wife, had reportedly willed his entire property to the pastor. Shortly after the man’s demise, the pastor came and took possession of all the property of the wife, claiming that the man willed the property to him before he died. This reportedly led to a complaint from both the wife’s family and in-laws, culminating in the pastor’s arrest.

During the arrest, authorities discovered about 11 babies in the pastor’s home. Pastor Harrison claimed to be the father of these children, stating they were born by 11 of his wives. He also claimed that he does not know the total number of wives he has married or the total number of children he has. The discovery has raised additional concerns about potential child trafficking or exploitation, though authorities have not yet confirmed any such charges.

The arrest has deeply divided the congregation and the community. While many residents and former members are calling for the pastor’s prosecution and the closure of the church, others have defended him. One lady member of the church, who did not want to be quoted, described Pastor Charles as a true man of God, saying that those against him were jealous of his success. She asked that if he is doing all the things leveled against him, why has he not come to her, adding that he married that number of women because he has enough money to maintain them. However, critics argue that many of the so-called churches in the area are merely enterprises exploiting gullible residents. The pastor’s flamboyant dressing and big vehicles, contrasted with his members who “look hungry and haggard,” have sparked outrage.

The arrest is part of a broader state-wide crackdown by the Anambra State Government on fake pastors and religious leaders who exploit residents. The campaign, led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration, recently led to the arraignment of eight pastors before a High Court for alleged violations of the state’s Homeland Security Law, 2025, including staging fake miracles using hired actors. The state government has vowed to take the fight to the doorsteps of fake native doctors and pastors as part of efforts to rid the state of all forms of criminality in both traditional and religious worship. The Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, has appealed to residents to provide credible information that would lead to the arrest of more fake pastors.

The pastor has been handed over to the police, and a joint investigation between the Anambra State Police Command and the state government has commenced. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security, Prince Ken Emeakayi, has urged anyone with additional information or testimonies relating to the allegations to come forward and assist the ongoing investigation. The Media and Publicity Secretary of the state security outfit Agunechemba, Comrade Nweke Nweke, confirmed that the suspect was in their custody and that investigation was ongoing. He said that Pastor Harrison Charles was arrested based on allegations leveled against him by members of the public and that the matter is currently under investigation, promising to issue a press statement about their findings at the end of the investigation.

Pastor Arrested for Taking 75 Married Women as Wives, Tears Church Apart