Police parade pastor in Abia for stealing car…. Effect of ' change' made me resort to stealing - Pastor

The Abia State Police Command , Wednesday, paraded a pastor, Chibunnam Onyenweaku, 32,  and his friend, Princewill Nnabugwu, 42  for allegedly stealing a Toyota Camry car.

The self- acclaimed pastor who hails from Ezinihite Mbaise in Imo State is the founder of the Redeemed Assembly, Eluohafia in Ohafia Local Government Area of the state.

His accomplice, Nnabugwu , a father of five said he hails from Osisioma Ngwa area of Abia State, and had been the pastor's friend for over 10 years.

Parading the suspects at the Officers Mess Umuahia, the new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeleye Oyebade, said the syndicate specialised in snatching cars from unsuspecting members of the public in Aba and Ohafia areas of the state.

According to him, luck ran out on the suspects on Saturday, August 8, when they stole a Toyota Camry car in Ohafia where the owner had parked it to attend a funeral ceremony.

He said the suspects were later apprehended by vigilante after they had made away with the car which they  unlocked with a master key.

The owner of the recovered car marked FT 953 LSR , Mr. Ikenna Nwoke said he was devastated after the funeral when he came to the spot where he packed his car only to discover it had been stollen.

Later in an interview, the pastor who said he only resorted to the evil act in November last year as a result of hardship, confessed he had stollen six cars since then.

He said he sold the cars to his accomplice based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State  for N60,000. each, and used the proceeds to purchase musical instruments for his Ministry.

The Pastor whose photograph appeared on a crusade poster as a Guest Speaker  in a crusade held at Amasiri , Ebonyi State in February, 2014, begged for forgiveness.

Similarly, his accomplice who said the Ohafia operation was the second time he was involved in car theft vowed never again to indulge in any criminal act if released.

The suspect who said he specialised in Alumaco works as a profession, thanked God for delivering him from the mob who wanted to set them ablaze after they were apprehended on Sunday morning before police intervention.

He blamed Satan for deceiving him into engagement in criminality and vowed to turn a new leaf.

Meanwhile, the new CP has issued quit notice to all  criminal elements operating in the state, saying that Abia will no longer be  a safe haven for them.

He vowed to make the state too hot for criminals and safe for all well- meaning members of the public.

The Police boss also read the riot act to all erring officers and men of the command, saying that acts of indiscipline and unprofessionalism will no longer be tolerated.

He solicited the  support and cooperation of residents to enable police and other security agencies succeed in their job.