Pastor denies attack on church

Pastor of a branch of the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA ) in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, Reverend Dashiko Yakubu, said his church was safe during the Good Friday service.

The statement was in view of reports that a man, who claimed to be a serving policeman, allegedly entered the church with objects believed to be explosives during the service.

“Nothing happened in my church; it is just speculation,” he said.

Daily Trust found out that the name of the suspect, who was arrested and detained by the police in Lafia, is Jonathan Gyanet. The state police spokesman, ASP Umaru Ismaila said the suspect is a dismissed policeman.

Jonathan Gyanet, who claimed to be a serving police man, took a bag of objects suspected to be explosives into the church during the Good Friday service. Witnesses said he was overpowered and arrested by the congregation.

Akwanga Police Divisional Officer (DPO), Mr. Jibrin Gani, confirmed the arrest of a suspect at the church during the Good Friday service, but insisted he had no authority to give details on the matter. This is just as the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in charge of Akwanga Area Command, Mr. Ajoola Alaja, told Daily Trust that he did not have the permission of the commissioner of police to speak to the media on the matter.