ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigerian police have arrested Abuja-based pastor Festus Alilu following a cyberbullying complaint linked to a Facebook video in which he criticised Pastor Korede Komaiya, lead pastor of The Master’s Place International Church in Delta State and a protégé of Bishop David Oyedepo.
Pastor Alilu was taken into custody on Thursday, March 20, 2025, night by officers from the Delta State Police Command.
His arrest followed a petition reportedly filed by Pastor Komaiya over alleged cyberbullying.
“It is because of the Facebook video I made, correcting the theological teaching of Komaiya,” Mr Alilu said in a video recorded during the arrest, which was posted to X (formerly Twitter) by activist Omoyele Sowore.
“It is Pastor Korede Komaiya who sent them to arrest me.”
Police Confirm Arrest
Delta State Police spokesperson Bright Edafe confirmed Alilu’s arrest in a brief statement on Friday.
“Confirmed. He is in our custody. He is not missing,” Mr Edafe told journalists.
However, the spokesperson declined to provide additional details on the cyberbullying allegations.
Wife Raises Alarm Over Detention
Alilu’s wife, Eleojo Festus Alilu, said he was arrested at their church in Jikoyi, Abuja, and transported to the Abattoir police facility, previously used by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
“Policemen from Delta State came to arrest him at our church at Jikoyi yesterday night. He was taken to Abattoir yesterday night,” Mrs Alilu said.
“Pastor Korede Komaiya sent them from Delta State. They said they have arrest warrant to arrest him for cyberbullying.”
As of Friday morning, she said she had not been allowed to see her husband and was unaware of his exact location.
“I’ve not been allowed to see him today. I’m confused. I don’t even know his whereabouts now,” she added.
Criticism of Prosperity Preaching
In the Facebook video that allegedly triggered the complaint, Pastor Alilu accused Komaiya of preaching prosperity doctrines that exploit congregants.
“Pastor Korede Komaiya is a big problem in the body of Christ,” Alilu said in the video.
“Bishop David Oyedepo that you claim is your father, is he preaching the kind of gospel you are preaching?
“He will say all those lies and use it to raise money and say God bless you. Which God bless you? Which God will use psychological ways to steal and defraud people?”
Mr Komaiya, who previously preached under Oyedepo’s Winners Chapel, has gained prominence in recent years and often refers to himself as one of Oyedepo’s “sons.”
He recently claimed that he and three others contributed N250 million to purchase a Rolls Royce for Oyedepo’s 70th birthday.
Efforts to reach Pastor Komaiya for comment were unsuccessful.
The contact number listed on his church’s website was unreachable as of Friday evening.
Legal and Religious Ramifications
The arrest has drawn attention to the growing tension between freedom of expression and cybercrime enforcement in Nigeria, particularly when religious leaders and high-profile figures are involved.
While the Cybercrimes Act prohibits online harassment, critics have warned that the law is increasingly being used to silence dissent, particularly against influential public or religious figures.
It remains unclear whether formal charges have been filed against Pastor Alilu. Legal and human rights organisations are expected to weigh in as the case develops.
