Security agents, on Thursday, manhandled controversial Onitsha, Anambra State-based pastor, Chukwuemeka Odumeje, popularly known as “Indaboski Bahose.”
The security agents had escorted state government officials that demolished his church.
Odumeje, popularly known as “Indaboski Bahose”, “Liquid Metal”, drew the anger of the security agents as he continuously argued with the government officials.
Anambra State Government had in March marked Odumeje’s church, Grace And Power Prophetic Ministry, Onitsha, for demolition for blocking a drainage channel.
Twenty four hours after his swearing in, Governor Chukwuma Soludo had visited Okpoko, a sprawling slum in Onitsha, pledging to sanitize the area by ensuring the clearing of the various drainage channels.
Odumeje’s church, was one of buildings in the community marked for obstructing free flow of water.
It was gathered that Odumeje had attempted to stop the officials from demolishing his church, a move that angered the security men escorting the demolition team.
The controversial pastor, in a video that has gone viral, was seen being shoved around by security men, including police officers and men of the vigilantes service.
He was slapped several times, and stopped from moving to the demolition area.
But the video sparked mixed reactions as many condemned the treatment meted to Odumeje by the security agents.
But some commentators said it served him right, accusing him of invading shrines considered sacred and destroyed them in the past.
Odumeje became popular through videos of his controversial sermons and strange method of healing. He usually imitates heavy weight wrestlers by smacking down his sick members for healing.
He also boasts of the possession of many hidden powers, which he said he had yet to unveil.
Speaking on the demolition of Odumeje’s church, Chief Press Secretary to Anambra State Governor, Mr Christian Aburime, said the government had no sinister motive.
Aburime explained that the state government had given notice to all owners of the buildings situated on the drainage.
He said, “Following the expiration of the more than two weeks notice beginning from April 2022 served on developers and building owners who built several illegal structures along the waterway in Fegge and environs within Onitsha, Anambra state government has begun demolition of such structures.
“The exercise which is being carried out by a joint government task force, commenced the exercise from Bida Road by Modebe Avenue, Fegge Onitsha. The affected buildings include Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention Deliverance Ministries, shops and other perimeter fences.
“The structures were marked since April, 2022 and all developers and building owners were served notice to remove such illegal structures.”
