The Edo State Police Command said they have arrested a pastor and another person for hurting a 90-year-old woman named Adishetu Atairu, who is the Chief Imam of Ofukpo-Ekperi community in Edo State, and six others.
A police spokesperson, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, told reporters in Benin City about the arrest on Thursday.
He said, “Yes, the police know about the incident. We have arrested the Pastor and another person. They are now with the police and will go to court.”
Newslodge shared that the bad treatment of the victims was shown in a video that went viral on WhatsApp and Facebook.
The video showed a crowd at night, with a man called Pastor Sharp-Sharp leading them.
In one of the videos, a young man was seen hurting an old woman in her 90s, named Adishetu Atairu, and another elderly man, who is the Imam of the community, Musa Shaibu, along with six others.
In the video, the old woman, who uses a walking stick, was dragged into the middle of the crowd, and a young man yelled at her to sit down.
It showed the old woman sitting on a chair, but Pastor Sharp-Sharp ordered her to sit on the floor. Then, another young man kicked her legs, making her fall down.
The Chief Imam was seen in another video sitting on the ground, and a young man took off his cap.
Other young women wearing Hijabs were also mistreated by the Pastor. He blamed them for killing a man named Eshe and his wife using evil magic.
A community resident, Abu Buhari, who said the incident occurred on July 5, 2024, explained that the 90-year-old Adishetu Atairu (his stepmother) and others were hurt and humiliated by the Pastor and his friends.
Buhari said they reported the incident to the police and filed a petition.
After the petition, the police arrested the Pastor on July 17 in Agenebode, Etsako East local government.
Buhari asked the police and other government agencies to help avoid any communal and religious conflicts and to bring those responsible to justice.
He said his stepmother and other victims who were beaten are still suffering from their injuries.
The Edo Muslims for Equity and Good Governance (EMEGG) praised the Nigeria Police and other security agencies for handling the matter before it got worse.
The group’s leader, Sirajudeen Muhammad, assured Muslims in Edo State and worldwide that justice would be served. He mentioned that the Pastor and two others have already been charged in court.
“We were at the court today, and we will always attend the court hearings,” he said.
He added that the court hearing is scheduled for August 7, 2024.