Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a Lagos-based pastor and his wife for alleged possession of illicit drugs concealed in their vehicle.
The suspects, Afolabi Hodonu (45) and his wife, Success Hodonu (35), were apprehended on Thursday, April 2, at the Gbaji checkpoint along the Seme-Badagry corridor in Lagos State.
According to a statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, a search conducted on the couple’s Honda Pilot SUV led to the discovery of 11 kilograms of skunk hidden in specially modified compartments within the vehicle.
Babafemi explained that the arrest was linked to an earlier operation at the same checkpoint on March 30, where NDLEA operatives intercepted a suspected fake security agent, Sunday Samuel (35), who was transporting 24.5 kilograms of skunk from the Seme border into Lagos.
He noted that intelligence gathered from that initial arrest led to the eventual capture of the pastor and his wife.
“The arrest of the couple followed the apprehension of a fake security agent conveying 24.5kg of skunk from the Seme border to Lagos,” Babafemi stated.
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The agency added that the operation is part of a broader nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking carried out over the past week.
Church Reacts, Denies Affiliation
In response to the development, the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide has distanced itself from the suspects, clarifying that they are not recognized members of its mainstream body.
Speaking on behalf of the church, the Head of Media and Publicity, Kayode Ajala, stated that administrative records do not list the couple as members under the Ketu mainstream leadership.
He emphasized that the church operates under the leadership of Emmanuel Mobiyina Oshoffa and expressed concern over the reputational damage caused by the incident.
“Our records confirm that the said individuals are not affiliated with the Ketu mainstream of the Celestial Church of Christ,” Ajala said.
He further described the allegations as a “despicable act” and announced that the church would deploy a task force to the Seme-Badagry area to conduct an independent investigation into the matter.
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