The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has said that the use of a stun gun as a form of threat or to create fear in the mind of another constitutes an offence under the law.

Jimoh disclosed this on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday while giving an update on the case involving the Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, who was recently granted bail after questioning over a gun-like object found in his possession in a viral video.

“Nothing is an offence under the law, except what the law states to be an offence. Even under the Fire Arms Act, if you fashion out anything that is not metal, like wood, and you make it look like a gun, and you use that guise to take possession of property from another person, you have committed armed robbery.

“So, pointing a stun gun at another individual and sending that threat and fear to such a person at that particular time constitutes an offence. So, the police are doing everything in line with the law,” he said.

A survivor of the recent deadly attack in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Joseph Kwagh, has recounted the horrifying moment he lost eight members of his immediate family, including his father, stepmother, and six siblings.

Speaking in an interview with News Central TV, Kwagh revealed that the attackers had sent prior warnings to the community, which residents had dismissed due to similar past threats that never materialised.

“On the day of the attacks, there were rumours that Fulani herdsmen have sent messages across that they are coming to attack Yelewata, just like every other time, they have always sent threats of attacking Yelewata.

“We are used to hearing rumours of the attackers coming and most times, when they come, they meet stiff resistance from the military, police and local vigilantes stationed in our community and they go back. So, we had thought it will be same situation as it has been in the past.

Jimoh reiterated that the object recovered from the pastor was a stun gun and not a lethal weapon.

He, however, said that the stun gun was prohibited riot equipment under the law.

“He was invited; a letter of invitation was sent to him. In fact, we had prepared our warrant of arrest, in case he refused to comply with the invitation. But he turned himself in and was questioned by a team of investigators who were already on the matter before he turned himself in.

“The matter is still undergoing further investigation. As the PPRO has informed the public, what was recovered from him was a stun gun, not a lethal weapon, but is prohibited riot equipment which we are investigating. We further questioned him why he pointed such to another individual.

The police commissioner further said that the person, at whom the object was pointed, would also be invited to give a statement regarding the incident that trended on social media.

“It is equally on social media that the person he pointed it to is a content creator and we are taking a statement from him as soon as he equally gets to us because we have got his address and we’re going to get him to make a statement in that regard.

“So, the pastor is still under investigation, though he has been granted bail, but we will continue with the investigation and make the outcome of the investigation public for all Nigerians to know,” he added.

Adefarasin was granted bail by the police on Wednesday after he turned himself in on Tuesday following the incident.

According to the police, Adefarasin was interrogated and he volunteered a cautionary statement to the police investigators.

The video, which surfaced earlier this month, showed the prominent pastor driving a Range Rover, winding down his window, and engaging with a road user while holding a black unidentified object.

The footage sparked widespread speculation online, with many alleging the object resembled a firearm.

In a reaction, however, Pastor Adefarasin took to his official X handle to dismiss the claims.

“You might be aware of a video which has been circulating on social media showing me in what some have misunderstood as brandishing a firearm. I want to assure you of this — that was certainly not a firearm, and at no point did I point such at anyone,” he wrote.

During last Sunday’s service which was streamed live on the church’s YouTube channel, he reiterated his position, describing the public reaction as both “hurtful” and “malicious”.

“I was falsely accused of bearing a firearm, pointing a firearm at an aggressive content creator who came within personal distance,” he said. “The only thing separating him and me was maybe three-quarters of a metre and a glass. I do not have a pistol licence. I do not carry a firearm, and I pointed no firearm at anybody.”

Speaking further, he said, “We have witnessed clickbaiters just looking for more money. I probably wasn’t even their target; their target was to make more money,” he told the congregation.

Reflecting on the toll the saga took on him, the 62-year-old cleric admitted feeling “shocked” and “hurt” when notified of the trending video.

“I am human. But God is touched by our infirmities and can first give us succour. And what the enemy means for evil, He works for good,” he added. (CHANNELS)