- Nigeria's Force Intelligence Department has reportedly arrested former pastors Abraham Daniel and Alexander Eneche following accusations of defaming Pastor Paul Enenche
- The legal counsel for the detained men, Barrister Ernest Okpaga, said the police did not give a clear reason for their detention despite full cooperation
- The detentions have sparked mixed reactions online, with some supporting the arrests and others questioning the handling of the case
Social media users have expressed mixed reactions following the detention of Abraham Daniel, a former pastor at Dunamis International Gospel Centre, and Alexander Eneche, both of whom were taken into custody by the Force Intelligence Department (FID) of the Nigerian police.
Barrister Ernest Okpaga, the legal counsel for the detained individuals, confirmed that his clients were arrested after complying with the police's summons.
Police detain former pastor, associate of Dunamis church
"No clear reason has been given for their detention, even though they cooperated fully with the police," Okpaga stated.
The police invitation, issued on January 3, 2025, by the Deputy Inspector General of Police, FID, instructed the duo to report to the department for questioning.
The two men had appeared at the FID office after receiving a formal invitation from the police. Daniel and Eneche were accused of cyberbullying and criminal defamation against Pastor Paul Enenche, the founder and Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre.
The allegations followed Daniel’s public claim that Pastor Enenche had violated a prior personal agreement between them.
Public reacts following arrests in Pastor Enenche's defamation case
The detentions have sparked a range of online reactions, with some users supporting the police’s actions while others criticised the handling of the case.
TheRadar compiled some of the public reactions below:
“This unjust detention must stop. We can't continue like this,” Comrade Ilesanmi reacted.
“Why not allow God to fight the battle?,” Giles Ndu stated.
“The men of God who teach us to leave our battles to God and pray for our enemies can't take a little joke. They're coming down from their high horses. He should be consumed my the kingdom work,” Joshua Akochi reacted.
“This cyberbullying law should be repealed. It has become a tool to intimidate weaker people. The law is so widely framed that it's capable of being manipulated. Any small disagreement is now termed to be cyberhate,” Samokwe added.
“Cyber bullying is unacceptable especially against a man of God of the Enenche creed. The victims should be made to face the full wrath of the law for their wronging,” Abduleasheed stated.
“Everyone should be mindful of what they say online, defamation is a criminal offence and don’t defame anyone,” Crespo reacted.
“Pastors dey fight? I thought they said leave revenge for God. Why all this?,” JustSom added.
Nigeria Police under scrutiny following directive to end youth arrests without cause
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun ordered an end to arbitrary arrests of youths, emphasising the damage to the police’s image.
The directive aimed to curb abuses and rebuild public trust in the police force, but many reacted, expressing scepticism if it would lead to real change.