Pastor Samuel Olusoji of New Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ajah area of Lagos has been arrested by the Police, over the demise of two brothers, Abiodun and Ayinde Oniru, during a spiritual bath at the weekend.
The pastor, who reportedly fled when the incident occurred in a stream in Agombo area of Ajah, was arrested yesterday, four days after the incident.
He is currently being interrogated by policemen at Agombo Division over his alleged connection with the dead brothers, who were aged 23 and 20.
Police sources hinted that during interrogation, Pastor Olusoji denied having a hand in the death of the two brothers. He was said to have denied being anywhere near the river when the incident occurred.
He was also said to have said that he was informed that the deceased were swimming in the river when tragedy struck. He was also said to have stated that the deceased were members of his church.
A member of the church, who spoke on condition of anonymity told Vanguard: “What we gathered was that Abiodun and Ayinde arrived the river on Saturday morning, even before the pastor arrived.
“They were accompanied by some members of the church, who were also there for spiritual bath. Everyone was cautioned against going near the river let alone to swim.
“But some of the members, including Abiodun and Ayinde, insisted they would swim. Before anyone knew what was happening, they had drowned.”
But when asked how they were brought out of the river, he claimed other members brought them out, adding that before mouth-to-mouth resuscitation attempt could be made, they gave up the ghost.
When contacted, spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Kenneth Nwosu said investigation was still ongoing.