The Commander of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) has issued a stern warning to churchgoers against sharing detailed financial or material testimonies in vulnerable settings, following the arrest and parading of a pastor involved in an attempted kidnapping of a prophetess.

Highlighting the growing security risks associated with evening worship, particularly in remote areas, the IRT chief cautioned that criminals often exploit church gatherings to identify potential targets.

"You can't go to a church located in the outskirts, go for evening service, give testimony of what God has blessed you with and start making your way home late at night. It doesn't conform with common sense. You might think that everyone there are men of God, but there are people with their own intentions," the Commander stated during the parade.

Addressing church leadership, the police chief urged places of worship located on the outskirts of towns to prioritize the safety of their congregations during late-night gatherings.

Recommendations included deploying trained security personnel to monitor entrances, exits, and transit routes, as well as vetting public testimonies before they are shared on the altar.

The caution comes in the wake of a startling investigation where a pastor, alongside his bodyguard and a close aide, was arrested for allegedly conspiring to kidnap a fellow prophetess.

Officials noted that the involvement of trusted insiders in the plot underscores the need for heightened vigilance among church members and leadership alike.

“Stop giving testimony of what you've achieved in church, they will k!dnap you”

— Police IRT Commander warns https://t.co/8Btp7fBLCm

— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) October 9, 2026