The Edo State Police Command has arrested a pastor and another individual in connection with the alleged dehumanization and brutalization of 90-year-old woman, Adishetu Atairu, of the Ofukpo-Ekperi community in Etsako Central Local Government Area, and a Chief Imam, Musa Shaibu, along with six others.
The spokesperson for the State Police Command, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the arrests to reporters in Benin City on Thursday.
He stated, “The incident is confirmed, the police are aware of it. The Pastor and one other person have been arrested and they are in police custody. The suspects have been charged to court.”
The brutalization of the victims was captured in a video that has gone viral on WhatsApp and Facebook. The footage, which shows a crowd gathered at night, is alleged to be led by a man identified as Pastor Sharp-Sharp.
In one video, a young man is seen brutalizing an elderly woman in her 90s, identified as Adishetu Atairu, along with an elderly man, Musa Shaibu, who is said to be the Imam of the community, and six others.
The elderly woman, who uses a walking stick, was dragged into the crowd and ordered to sit down by a young man.
She was then forced to sit on the floor by Pastor Sharp-Sharp, while another young man kicked her legs, causing her to fall to the ground.
Another video shows the Chief Imam of the community sitting on the bare ground while a young man removes his cap. Similar treatment was given to a young woman wearing a hijab, whom the pastor accused of killing Eshe and his wife through diabolical means.
A resident of the community, Abu Buhari, reported that the incident occurred on July 5, 2024.
He stated that his stepmother, Adishetu Atairu, and others were dehumanized and assaulted by the pastor and his accomplices.
Buhari added that the incident was reported to the police, who requested a petition. Following the submission of the petition, the pastor was arrested by the Police Area Command Office in Agenebode, Etsako East Local Government on July 17.
Buhari called on the police and relevant government agencies to intervene to prevent communal and religious crises in the state and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
He noted that his stepmother and the other victims remain in pain from the beatings and dehumanization.
The Edo Muslims for Equity and Good Governance praised the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies for addressing the issue before it escalated.
The group’s coordinator, Sirajudeen Muhammad, assured Muslims in Edo State and beyond that justice would be served.
He confirmed that the pastor and two others have been charged to court and that the group would attend the court hearings.
“We were at the court today and we will always be present at the court,” Muhammad stated. The case has been adjourned to August 7, 2024, for hearing.
