Detectives attached to the Monitoring Unit of the Imo State police command have arrested two General Overseers (GO) for alleged gunrunning. The suspects, Clifford Nmenabu, founder, God Covenant of Christ the King Sabbath Missionary and Festus Daniel Igwe of Zion House of Prayer Sabbath Missionary were alleged to have procured five AK47 rifles for use during the forthcoming general elections.
Speaking on how the suspects were busted, the state Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali told Saturday Sun that the command acted on a tip-off which indicated that the suspects had acquired some firearms. According to him: “On February 13, 2015, policemen led by the officer in charge of the Monitoring Unit, Superintendent of Police, Linus Nwaiwu stormed their churches in Oru East Local Government Area, arrested and recovered all the guns.”
CP Ali explained that in the course of investigation, it was discovered that the clerics were contracted by one Mr K. Nnamdi who they claim is based in London.
“The two clerics were given an advance cash of N300,000 for 10 pieces of AK 47 rifles and to be given a cash balance of N1.2million as soon as they deliver. The suspects were nabbed when they were about to hand over the five AK47 rifles to a group of persons who claim to be representing Biafra in the church premises of Pastor Igwe.”
The police boss also said that his command has declared Nnamdi wanted and would charge the suspects to court at the end of the investigation.
One of the suspects, Pastor Nmenabu, 67, said that apart from his ministry, he is dealing in arms. “I am the General Overseer of God Covenant of Christ the King Sabbath Missionary. I have been in the ministry for over 35 years. I am also into buying and selling of arms and ammunition. I was listening to Radio Biafra London when the broadcaster, who introduced himself as Nnamdi, gave out a number through which he can be reached. I called him and he explained that he is the coordinator of the popular Biafra group.
“I told him who I am and what I can do for the group. He gave me the contract and I decided to ask my fellow priest, Igwe who has contacts. He offered to pay N1.2 million for 10 AK47 rifles. He gave us N300, 000 as a deposit. We were waiting for the balance when policemen stormed my house and arrested us”, he confessed.The second suspect, High Priest Festus Igwe, 63, said that he is willing to assist the police to track down Nnamdi who is currently on the run. “I am the GO of the Zion House of Prayers Sabbath Mission. I was in the church, when Pastor Nmenabu contacted me that there is a good business on ground. I rushed to his church and gave me the details. Luckily, I still had contact with some arms dealers in Imo state.
He also introduced me to Nnamdi who gave us an advance fee of N300,000.
“We had delivered the five AK47 rifles and was waiting for Nnamdi to bring the balance when the police arrived. I am very sorry. I am ready to assist the police to track down Nnamdi”, he stated.
