By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
21- SEPT -2025

The Enugu State Police Command has made significant progress in investigating the tragic murder of Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya of Nsukka Catholic Diocese, with 38 persons now in custody as part of ongoing efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice.

In a statement issued in Enugu on Sunday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, confirmed that the arrests followed intensive operations ordered by the Commissioner of Police, Mamman Bitrus Giwa. He explained that tactical teams under the Udenu Area Command conducted thorough bush combing and raided known criminal hideouts, leading to the arrests and recovery of several incriminating materials.

The suspects, Ndukwe noted, are currently being profiled and screened as the manhunt for the direct killers continues. CP Giwa has assured that investigators will not relent until those behind the brutal act are fished out and prosecuted.

The Commissioner of Police, while extending his condolences to the family of the slain priest and the Catholic Church community, pledged the Command’s unwavering commitment to securing justice and restoring confidence in public safety.

Rev. Fr. Matthew Eya was murdered on the night of September 19, 2025, along Eha-Ndiagu Eha-Etiti Road in Eha-Alumona, Nsukka Local Government Area, a development that has since sparked grief and outrage across the state.

The Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday, cleared the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, of a firearm allegation

In June 2025, Adefarasin was seen in a viral clip, brandishing what appeared to be a handgun while driving in traffic.

It led to speculations that the cleric was pointing a firearm at the TikToker who made the video.

However, Adefarasin denied the allegation, claiming that the object was not a firearm.

In a statement, the Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, cleared Adefarasin of the allegations.

“A thorough investigation was conducted, during which the clergyman was interrogated and provided a cautionary statement.

“Findings revealed that the object seen in the viral footage was not a firearm but a stun gun, a non-lethal device.

“Consequent on our findings, the command has determined that there are no sufficient grounds to proceed with the matter.

“The case is hereby discontinued,” Adebisi said.

Niger State Governor Umar Bago has said that preachers in the state must submit their sermons for approval before preaching.

The governor appeared on TVC’s Politics on Sunday to clarify some aspects of the law seeking to regulate preaching in the state.

He said: “I didn’t ban evangelism… For everyone going to sermon on Friday, he should bring his scriptures for review, and it’s normal. Even in Saudi Arabia, this is done. We cannot say because you have been given the opportunity to be a cleric, you will go out and preach the gospel that is anti-people, anti-government and you think it’s normal.”

Asked if it was out of fear of indoctrination, the governor said, “It’s in that direction. We want to be able to see what they are preaching, hear what they are saying. We are working together with security agencies; the Department of State Services (DSS), the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the military.”

Recall that the new directive first became public earlier in the month.

The Director General of the Niger State Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, had said anyone interested in preaching in Niger must obtain a licence, adding that preachers had two months to obtain their licences.

Farooq said: “It is true, the State Government has banned preaching. Any preacher who wants to preach must secure a licence between now and the next two months.

“All they need to do is to visit our office, get, and fill out the form. After which, they will have to face a panel that will screen them before they can start preaching.”