•••SAYS ACTION ILL ADVISED, REGRETTABLE
The pastor of the House on the Rock who stormed the pulpit with an AK 47 assault riffle on Sunday, Uche Aigbe, has apologized having known the gravity of the action.
A statement from the church on Monday night described the action as ill-advised and regrettable.
The church explained that the pastor took the unloaded gun to the pulpit with no other motive but to illustrate his message on ‘Guarding your Faith.’
The statement added that the church rejects all forms of violence in its preaching of the gospel of Christ built of peace and goodwill of humanity.
“On Sunday, February 12, a resident pastor of House On The Rock, Abuja Church, Pastor Uche Aigbe , in a message about fighting the good fight with spiritual weapons, carried an unloaded gun to illustrate his message on ‘Guarding your Faith.’
“Pastor Uche has been a leader in House On The Rock, Abuja since 1999 and has always shown exemplary leadership.
“However, he realises that even with the best of intentions, carrying a gun to illustrate his message was ill-advised and regrettable.
“Without hesitation, Pastor Uche has acknowledged the gravity of his actions and apologies unreservedly for them.
“As a church, House On The Rock rejects all forms of violence and we stand on the good news gospel of Jesus Christ which embraces peace and goodwill for all of mankind.
“We are cooperating fully with the authorities as they carry out their investigations into this incident, and we will continue to engage internally to ensure this break in protocol does not happen again.” The statement read
Police operatives from the Federal Capital
Territory had arrested Pastor Aigbe, who for brandishing an AK 47 assault rifle on the pulpit on Sunday.
The Police also arrested the Chief Security Officer to the Church, Promise Ukachukwu and a Police Inspector, Musa Audu in connection with the use of the gun for pulpit demonstration by the pastor.
It was gathered that the police inspector identified as Musa Audu gave his gun to the preacher.
The Network gathered that the police authorities are enraged by the fact that the Police Inspector handed over his assault rifle while on duty without authorization from the office.
It was learnt that the police authorities are pursuing a case of unlawful possession of firearms, incitement and related issues against the pastor and the Chief Security Officer, Ukachukwu.
On Monday, the Police Force Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, who reacted to media reports on the puzzling incident said that the police has commenced investigation into the incident.
It was learnt that an angry Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT Command, Sadiq Abubakar, has recommended the errant policeman to the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, for dismissal.
A source said that the policeman would he subjected to the internal disciplinary processes of the police which meant that he would face an orderly room trial and could be dismissed if found guilty.
Aigbe had mounted the pulpit during the second service which is one of the most attended with worshippers from different parts of the FCT.
While the church members wondered what could be the reason for the weapon in the hand of the preacher, he allayed their worry with the sermon.
“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 said
