House On The Rock Apologizes Over Pastor Aigbe’s AK-47 Pulpit Display 

• Admits action “ill-advised and regrettable”
• Clergy has a case to answer – FCT Police

BY EDMOND ODOK – House on the Rock has explained why its Presiding Pastor in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Pastor Uche Aigbe, mounted the pulpit on Sunday, February 12, 2023 carrying an AK-47 rifle.

Pastor Aigbe caused a stir during the Sunday Service when emerged with a rifle to preach his message to a bewildered audience.

However, the Church, in a statement on Monday evening apologized for the action which it described as “ill-advised and regrettable”, stating that the Clergyman only carried the gun to illustrate his message to the congregation.

The statement reads: “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 apologises 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 Pastor had caused a stir during the Church’s second service that usually records a high turnout of the congregation coming from different parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

As this unexpected action caused a scene with the congregation trying to figure out his motive, Pastor Aigbe sent the Church members reeling in laughter saying; “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”.

A seasoned Clergyman, Pastor Aigbe has over 29 years of pastoral experience, increasing responsibility in congregational leadership, spiritual counselling and mentorship.

Pastor Aigbe Now In Police Custody

With the FCT Police Command insisting that Pastor Aigbe has a case to answer for his conduct, Church insiders said he is currently in detention and is expected to assist the Police in their investigations.

It was gathered that the pastor arrived at the Guzape office of the Command’s anti-car theft unit on Monday morning accompanied by the policeman who reportedly gave him the rifle.

A Police source, who identified the officer as Inspector Musa Audu, said; “He and the police officer have been taken to his house for a search. They were both handcuffed and taken away.”

Meanwhile, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, while reacting to the incident, stated that Pastor Agbe has a case to answer.

The Force Spokesman said in a series of tweets that AK-47 rifle falls under the prohibited firearms in Nigeria and only certain law enforcement officers are allowed to carry it.

He said a complaint over the pastor’s action has been forwarded to the FCT Police Commissioner for necessary action, adding; “But if it’s 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.

When contacted on the Pastor’s detention, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh simply said, “We are on it”, adding that an official statement would soon be issued on the unfortunate incident