An international, UK-based Nigerian pastor, Apostle Tomi Arayomi, the founder of RIG Nation and Pioneer Church, United Kingdom, has recounted his ordeal at the hands of Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS).
It was reported days ago that the sought-after prophet was detained by the DSS alongside his wife and his aide.
Apostle Arayomi started his narration by thanking the public for its prayers and support during the ordeal.
Narrating his ordeal, Apostle Arayomi said that on Good Friday, they were picked up by DSS upon arriving in Abuja to visit one of their branches.
He said that the armed secretaries, who were six in number, didn’t identify themselves as DSS or any law enforcement agency.
He claimed that they were forced to surrender their mobile phones and enter the vehicles, where they were taken at a considerable speed. They later learned that they had been driven to DSS headquarters, where their pictures were taken, fingerprints collected, and data collected, then locked inside a room with no knowledge of the grounds of their arrest.
The clergyman and his wife were later released following media and social media pressure. However, his aide remains in their custody.
Out of concern for his young children and wife’s wellbeing, they made the unfortunate decision to leave Nigeria abruptly.
Apostle Tomi Arayomi releases statement
The statement reads in part: “Tomiarayomi Prophetess Tahmar and I would like to express our gratitude for all your prayers and international support during Friday’s ordeal with The DSS.
We can confirm that on Good Friday 7th April we arrived at Abuja to visit one of our branches when we were picked up by about 6 armed agents who did not identify themselves as DSS or any law enforcement agency.
“My wife, myself, and my aide Emmanuel Ezerika were forced to surrender our mobile phones and enter the vehicles where we were taken at considerable speed to what we later learned were DSS HQ. The officers, some of who wore balaclavas were not immediately recognizable as DSS.”
He also stated that DSS locked them up without providing them with any information about the reason for their arrest after obtaining some of their personal information.
He continued: “Our pictures were taken, fingerprints and data collected and we were locked inside a room with no real knowledge as to the grounds for our arrest. After a lengthy interrogation, it appears media and social media pressure forced DSS to release my wife and I.
My aide still remains under DSS custody and thus far, DSS has been elusive as to his exact whereabouts. We will not divulge the particulars of the investigation at this point as we are still awaiting the safe release of my aide.
Out of concern for my young children and my wife’s well-being, we made the unfortunate decision to leave Nigeria abruptly. This decision did not come lightly but with considerable prayer and counsel from our board, trustees, colleagues in the ministry, and respective families.
I can confirm that we are safe and will continue to work and pray for a new Nigeria. We remain resolute that we will return to the Nation that we have grown to call our home but for now, we will continue to press, pray and give God no rest until Nigeria becomes a praise on the earth. We did not come to Nigeria under any illusion of comfort. We came to serve the Lord, fully aware of the danger
We want you to know that Tahmar and I remain strong and unwavering in our commitment to Nigeria and the many great leaders we have encountered during our time there. We want to thank every leader and friend who reached out, called, texted, and posted. We are so grateful. This is not goodbye. This is see you soon! In a new and better Nigeria,” he added.
Apostle Arayomi and his wife were arrested by DSS.
Recall that social media was thrown into a frenzy following the arrest of Apostle Arayomi and his wife.
The couple was arrested by the DSS for allegedly being on their watchlist for a public speech the cleric delivered.
They were arrested after disembarking from their 9 a.m. Ibom Air flight from Lagos to the Federal Capital Territory on Friday.
Arayomi’s twin brother, Tobi Arayomi, disclosed the news on his Instagram page, @tobiarayomi.
According to Tobi, his brother was apprehended by DSS operatives over political prophecies he made.
In an update, Tobi revealed that his brother and wife had been released, as he posted a photo with the couple.
“@tomiarayomi and @tahmar.india are out. Thank you all for your prayers,” Tobi posted on Instagram.
