Children rescued from Ondo church demand pastor's release
Please share this story:
Some of the victims who were rescued by the men of the Ondo State Police Command from the basement of a church in Ondo are still in the custody of the command as they reportedly refused to go home with their parents, reports The PUNCH.
As many as 77 people were found locked in the basement of the church, Whole Bible Deliverance Church, Ondo, located in the Valentino district of the town of Ondo, Utah. Ondo State.
They were rescued on Saturday.
The victims were reportedly detained in the church for more than six months.
Church pastor David Anifowose and his assistant Peter Josiah were also arrested by police.
Speaking to our correspondent on Monday, the state police public relations officer Ms. Funmilayo Odunlami confirmed that some of the victims did not follow their parents home after the police had asked them to leave, insisting that they would not go until their pastor was released from custody.
She said: "Some of the parents said that if it wasn't for what happened, they weren't aware that their children had dropped out of school while others said they knew their children were at church but did not know the location of the church.
“Despite all our pleas, some of these victims refused to return home, saying they were prepared to remain in custody until their pastor and his assistant were released.
“We are trying to determine the modalities of their treatment to rehabilitate them. We have more than 10 who have refused to return home. We even have a child who said she would follow the Lord and not her parents. She said she was fine with staying at the police compound since their pastor is still there.
"We are trying to find a modality on how the State Department of Women's Affairs can rehabilitate them."
State Commissioner for Women's Affairs, Ms Juliana Osadahun, who visited police headquarters to see the victims, said the state government was working to rehabilitate.
The father of one of the victims, Mr Michael Olorunyomi, who was also at Police Command Headquarters, Akure, confirmed on Monday that his 21-year-old daughter, Priscilla, was returned home but she had refused to eat since Saturday to protest against the arrest of the pastor.
Please share this story:
Some of the victims who were rescued by the men of the Ondo State Police Command from the basement of a church in Ondo are still in the custody of the command as they reportedly refused to go home with their parents, reports The PUNCH.
As many as 77 people were found locked in the basement of the church, Whole Bible Deliverance Church, Ondo, located in the Valentino district of the town of Ondo, Utah. Ondo State.
They were rescued on Saturday.
The victims were reportedly detained in the church for more than six months.
Church pastor David Anifowose and his assistant Peter Josiah were also arrested by police.
Speaking to our correspondent on Monday, the state police public relations officer Ms. Funmilayo Odunlami confirmed that some of the victims did not follow their parents home after the police had asked them to leave, insisting that they would not go until their pastor was released from custody.
She said: "Some of the parents said that if it wasn't for what happened, they weren't aware that their children had dropped out of school while others said they knew their children were at church but did not know the location of the church.
“Despite all our pleas, some of these victims refused to return home, saying they were prepared to remain in custody until their pastor and his assistant were released.
“We are trying to determine the modalities of their treatment to rehabilitate them. We have more than 10 who have refused to return home. We even have a child who said she would follow the Lord and not her parents. She said she was fine with staying at the police compound since their pastor is still there.
"We are trying to find a modality on how the State Department of Women's Affairs can rehabilitate them."
State Commissioner for Women's Affairs, Ms Juliana Osadahun, who visited police headquarters to see the victims, said the state government was working to rehabilitate.
The father of one of the victims, Mr Michael Olorunyomi, who was also at Police Command Headquarters, Akure, confirmed on Monday that his 21-year-old daughter, Priscilla, was returned home but she had refused to eat since Saturday to protest against the arrest of the pastor.
What's Your Reaction?
