• How he allegedly manouevered members to surrender spouses
Pastor Harrison Charles Anazodo of Day Spring Assembly in Awada, Anambra State, has been arrested over allegations that he lured 75 married women into becoming his wives, with neighbours describing bizarre church practices including support for polygamy and forced wife-swapping.
A church with vigils that go dark at midnight. A pastor who claims women are “taken from his ribs.” And 75 alleged wives. It’s the kind of story that sounds invented, except Anambra State authorities say it’s real.
The Anambra State government has confirmed the arrest of Pastor Harrison Charles, owner of Day Spring Assembly in Awada, Onitsha, accused of snatching up to 75 married women from their husbands, according to The Nation. He was arrested by operatives of the state’s Agunechemba security outfit following a viral video, and has since been handed over to the police for investigation in collaboration with the state government.
The details of his arrest are jaw-dropping. “During his arrest, about eleven babies were found in his home. He claims to be the father of these eleven babies, stating they are from eleven of his wives. He also claims he does not know the number of wives he has married or the total number of children he has,” said Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr Ejimofor Opara.
Neighbours paint an even stranger picture. According to a resident identified as Ekene, the church openly preaches in support of polygamy, with bizarre rituals to match. “In that church, they don’t see anything wrong with polygamy because the pastor supports it. When they go for evangelism, men wear female wares while women wear clothes meant for men,” he said. He also alleged that when husbands confront the pastor over missing wives, “he simply tells them they are taken from his ribs.”
Not everyone agrees he’s a villain — one church member insisted critics are simply “jealous of his success.” The arrest is part of a wider state crackdown that has already seen eight other fake pastors arraigned in court.
NEWS NOW:
