Police in Nigeria have rescued 77 folks, together with youngsters, from a church the place they have been confined within the south-western state of Ondo.
A few of them are believed to have been there for months.
A police spokesperson mentioned a lot of them had been informed to anticipate the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in April and had deserted college to witness the occasion.
The raid got here after a mom complained her youngsters have been lacking and she or he thought they have been within the church.
Police say they’re investigating suspected mass abduction after the raid on the Complete Bible Believers Church within the Valentino space of Ondo City.
The pastor of the Pentecostal church, David Anifowoshe, and his deputy have been arrested, whereas the victims have been taken into the care of the authorities.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that one Pastor Josiah Peter Asumosa, an assistant pastor within the church, was the one who informed the members that Rapture will happen in April, however later mentioned it has been modified to September 2022 and informed the younger members to obey solely their dad and mom within the Lord,” mentioned police press officer Funmilayo Odunlami.
In all, police rescued 26 youngsters, eight youngsters and 43 adults, she added.
The Second Coming is a Christian perception within the return of Jesus Christ after his Biblical ascension to Heaven. Rapture is the concept that Christian believers will likely be taken to Heaven on the Second Coming.
Nervousness has been excessive amongst Christians within the state since a lethal assault on one other church.
No less than 50 folks have been killed in a mass capturing and bomb assault at St Francis Catholic church within the city of Owo on 6 June.
Federal authorities suspect the Islamic State West Africa Province of finishing up the bloodbath.
