Police in Edo State arrested a pastor nicknamed ‘Sharp Sharp’ and two others after they brutally attacked a 90-year-old woman, Adishetu Atairu, the chief Imam of their community, and six others in Ofukpo-Ekperi, Estako Central Local Government.
Videos of the assault spread widely on WhatsApp and Facebook.
SP Chidi Nwabuzor, the state Police Command spokesperson, confirmed the incident, stating the suspects had been arrested and charged. He said, “The Pastor and one other person have been arrested and they are in police custody. The suspects have been charged to court.”
According to resident Abu Buhari, the attack occurred on July 5 when his stepmother and others were accused of witchcraft. He recounted how armed men abducted them at night, assaulted them, and coerced false confessions.
Buhari explained, “The youths hired Pastor Sharp Sharp against community wishes, believing in his miracles. They organized a midnight crusade where supposed witches and wizards were brutalized.”
After the ordeal, the pastor demanded payments of N10,000 to N13,000 for miracle medicine. Buhari reported the incident to the police, leading to the pastor’s arrest on July 17 by the Agenebode Police Area Command Office.
Edo Muslims for Equity and Good Governance praised the police for intervening promptly. Coordinator Sirajudeen Muhammad promised justice for the victims.
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