A vigilance group known as ONELGA OSPAC, based in Rivers State, has reported the arrest of three individuals, including two pastors, in connection with the death of a 24-year-old man named Lucky in the Port Harcourt area of the state. Lucky is said to have passed away after undergoing an operation to remove his hunchback.
According to an officer from the Planning and Advisory Committee of OSPAC, the suspects were apprehended while attempting to flee Port Harcourt. One of the arrested suspects, a 54-year-old pastor from a new-generation church in Osiakpo, near Omoku, identified as Olatoye, claimed that Lucky was handed over to him by his father, Ejike, and Ejike’s younger brother, Pastor Paul.
During questioning, Olatoye disclosed that the victim’s family sought a surgical procedure to remove “mercury” from Lucky’s hunchback. He explained, “Paul said his brother (Ejike) had a son who had a hunchback which he was planning to do away with. He asked whether I knew the people who could take up the boy. I told him that I would make inquiries.”
The suspect went on to describe how they arranged for the surgical procedure and contacted an associate in Abeokuta, Ogun State, who promised to pay N10 million for the removal of the “mercury.” Lucky, who desired to lead a normal life, also requested the operation despite the risks involved.
Olatoye mentioned that the first contact they made was with an NGO in Owerri, Imo State, which agreed to pay N5 million for the procedure. The victim’s family accepted this offer, but the NGO failed to follow through. Subsequently, they reached out to another contact in Abeokuta, who agreed to pay N10 million but with a deferred payment schedule, to which all parties agreed.
According to Olatoye, on the day of the surgery, Ejike handed over Lucky to him, and Paul provided N15,000 for transportation. The operation was performed, but unfortunately, the young man did not survive.
Paul, the victim’s uncle, expressed sadness over the incident but denied any direct involvement, stating that he only introduced Olatoye to his brother, Ejike.
The OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwobakata, emphasized that the arrest of the suspects serves as a warning to those involved in ritualistic activities. He confirmed the arrest of the two pastors and the victim’s father, stating that they had been handed over to the Assistant Inspector General, Monitoring Unit, Zone 16, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, for further investigation and prosecution.
Efforts to contact the spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.