– Police interrogated a cleric in
Warri over alleged sponsoring of
the militant group in Niger Delta
– The man of God was also
accused of harboring weapons in
church and at home
– However, the police didn’t find
anything after the search was
conducted in his residences
A bishop of a new generation
church in Warri was quizzed by the
Delta state police detectives over
reported sponsoring of the militant
group Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).
The Punch reports that the bishop
(name suspended), comes from
Ogbinbiri community of Egbema
(Ijaw) Kingdom in the Warri North
council area of the state and is the
presiding bishop of the New
Salvation Zion Church of Christ at
Igbodu area of the city.
The police insiders told reporters
that the church leader was
summoned for questioning after two
petitions supposing that he was
sponsoring the Avengers.
The interrogation was conducted at
the Warri area command of the
Delta state police command.
The prominent man of God was
quizzed from 8am to about 8pm
last week July 13, before he was
permitted to go and directed to
report the following day for further
interrogation.
A closed relative of the suspected
bishop confirmed the development
to the journalist, but asked not to
be identified.
The petitions also supposed that
the cleric was harbouring arms both
in his house and church.
The police conducted the search of
the Ijaw bishop’s residence at
Bendel Estate in Effurun, Uvwie
council area of the state, and his
church building in Igbodu area of
Warri.
However, nothing incriminating was
found at both houses of the
clergyman.
The Avengers claimed series of
attacks on gas and oil facilities in
Niger Delta region.
The militants group has been calling
for a share of profits from oil
production with the local population.
They also demand regional self-
government.
