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Pastor Tomi Arayomi And Wife Flees From Nigeria, Narrates Ordeal In DSS Custody
A Nigerian pastor based in the United Kingdom, Apostle Tomi Arayomi has narrated his ordeal after being arrested by the Department of State Service (DSS).
KanyiDaily had reported how Pastor Tomi Arayomi, the founder of the RIG Nation and Pioneer Church in the UK, and his wife were arrested by DSS operatives on Friday morning, April 7.
Their arrest for alleged “politics-related prophecies” sparked an uproar on social media from the Christian community in Nigeria and they were released hours later.
Narrating his ordeal on Sunday via his Instagram page, Arayomi said they were picked up by the secret police alongside their aide, upon arriving at Abuja to visit one of their branches.
He said that the armed men, who didn’t identify themselves as DSS or any law enforcement agency, forced them to surrender their mobile phones and enter their vehicles which took them to what “we later learned were DSS HQ.”
The cleric said they were locked inside a room with no real knowledge as to the grounds for their arrest until social media pressure forced the DSS to release them, excluding his aide.
Arayomi, who awaits the safe release of his aide from the DSS which refused to reveal his exact whereabouts, revealed that he and his wife have fled the country on the advice of their families and colleagues.
He wrote, “Prophetess Tahmar and I would like to express our gratitude for all your prayers and international support during Fridays 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 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.
“Our pictures were taken, finger prints 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 have 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 in 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, posted. We are so grateful. This is not goodbye. This is see you soon! In a new and better Nigeria.”
KanyiDaily recalls that Pastor Tomi Arayomi had slammed churches that support abortion and preach the gospel of being “born again.”
