Anambra Pastor Arrested Over Alleged Wife-Snatching
The Anambra state government has arrested Pastor Harrison Charles, founder of Day Spring Assembly in Awada, Onitsha, over allegations that he lured dozens of married women away from their husbands and married them. The arrest was confirmed on Sunday, June 14, by Ejimofor Opara, the special adviser on media to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
Details of the Arrest
According to reports from The Nation and Vanguard, the pastor was taken into custody by operatives of Agunechemba, the state security outfit, following a viral video containing multiple allegations against him. During his arrest, about 11 babies were found in his residence. Charles claimed to be the biological father of all 11 children, stating they were born to 11 of his wives. He also said he could not ascertain the total number of wives or children he has.
Social media has been flooded with testimonies and allegations from individuals claiming to be victims or relatives. They alleged that the clergyman encouraged wife-swapping among church members and, in some cases, took the wives of other congregants as his own.
Investigation Ongoing
Opara confirmed that the embattled cleric has been handed over to the police for further investigation. The Anambra government and the state police command have launched a joint probe into the allegations. Opara urged members of the public with relevant information to come forward and assist investigators.
He stated: “Pastor Harrison Charles was arrested following a viral video containing several allegations against him. He is currently being investigated by the police in collaboration with the Anambra state government.”
Crackdown on Unscrupulous Religious Figures
This arrest is part of a broader crackdown by Governor Soludo’s administration on religious figures violating state laws. Earlier, eight pastors were remanded by a High Court in Awka for allegedly staging fake miracles and violating the state’s Homeland Security Law, 2025. The pastors were arraigned before Justice Jude Obiorah alongside agents they allegedly used to procure persons paid to pretend they had been healed or delivered.
The Anambra government continues to urge the public to report any suspicious activities by religious leaders to maintain law and order in the state.
