By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The Nigeria police have dismissed an Inspector, Musa Audu for handing over his service AK-47 rifle to the Presiding Pastor, House on the Rock, Abuja Chapter, Uche Aigbe, on Sunday.
This follows a recommendation from the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Command, Sadiq Abubakar to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba on Monday.
Inspector Audu had faced an orderly room trial for handing over his rifle to the civilian pastor who mounted the pulpit with the assault rifle during the second service in his church.
Pastor Aigbe was also detained by the Intelligence Response Team, Force Intelligence Bureau, Garki, Abuja, on Monday.
The clergy caused a stir on Sunday when he mounted the pulpit carrying an AK 47 rifle which is only reserved for some security operatives without any licence for private individuals to handle.
Brandishing the gun, the pastor picked his way to the altar as many members of his congregation watched in utmost shock the reason behind the action.
Earlier, Nigeria Police had said no individual under the law is permitted the bear the AK-47 rifle but only reserved for some security operatives.
Reacting to inquiry by Twitter users on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the police will investigate the cleric’s action.
Responding in series of tweets, the police image maker reitetated that in Nigeria, only certain law enforcement officers are allowed to do carry AK-47 rifle.
He said his office has forwarded complaint over the pastor’s action to the FCT Police Commissioner to act.
“But if its true, the pastor will have a case to answer. AK47??. It falls under prohibited Firearms in Nigeria, and no one bears it except an officer of the law, and not all of them have the right, selected sec operatives, but no individual has the right to bear it.
“The FCT police command will investigate it, i trust the new CP FCT, CP Sadiq,.. its shocking,” he wrote.
“Some people are looking for my trouble. And I came here prepared. Today, there are some pastors with the gift of divination who go about ripping people off. This is why we should carry our ‘guns’ and defend ourselves. I will particularly be coming very soon for some of you sleeping in the church,” he was quoted to have said to his congregants as the church erupted in laughter.
