Pastor apologises for carrying AK- 47 rifle on pulpit
...withdraws from pastoral assignments
CITIZENS COMPASS– PASTOR Uche Aigbe, the presiding pastor of House on the Rock, Abuja has tendered an unreserved apology to his congregation for mounting the pulpit with an AK-47 rifle.
This is just as he suddenly announced that he would be withdrawing from his pastoral assignments to reflect over the events of the past week and for healing
The pastor tendered the apology in his message on Sunday, February 19, 2023 which was captured in a video posted on the church’s social media handles on Tuesday, February 21, 2023.
He expressed disappointment in himself for not considering the consequence of bringing the firearm to illustrate a passage in the scripture before taking the decision.
Citizens Compass had reported how the embattled preacher mounted the pulpit with the rifle to address the congregation on ‘Guarding the Faith.’
The viral video clip of the pastor mounting the pulpit with AK-47 rifle generated mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some people calling for his arrest by security agencies.
Following the tension created by the viral clip on social media, the Church released a statement, saying the minister has always shown exemplary leadership since he became the pastor in 1999.
While explaining that the minister was trying to illustrate his message through the action, the church, however, faulted his use of the rifle.
While the drama was ongoing, Aigbe was invited for questioning and subsequently detained by police authorities in the Federal Capital Territory.
The command also confirmed the arrest of the Chief Security Officer of the Abuja House on the Rock Church, Inspector Musa Audu, who it identified as the owner of the AK-47.
But on Sunday, a pensive-looking Aigbe addressed his congregation midway through the service that the traumatic experience he had in the last one week has given him a lot of concerns
While apologising for the embarrassment his action has caused the Church, he admitted guilt for not giving his decision to mount the pulpit with a firearm a second thought.
He said,
This morning I stand before you with a deep sense of sobriety and contrition as I humbly address the event of last Sunday at the second service which most of us were part of, where I used an unloaded firearm to illustrate some texts from the Bible regarding the good fight of faith.
“Of course, like you all know, it has caused a lot of embarrassment and pain to the entire church family, to you House on the Rock (The Refuge), to my immediate family and, of course, to myself.
“The decision that I made to use that firearm was not thoughtful. It has left me disappointed in myself. My action has been very traumatic for me, my family and, I am sure, for many of us. And I trust that we will never ever experience such again.”
While appreciating his family and the leadership of the church for the moral, physical and spiritual support he received since his trial started, the presiding pastor suddenly announced that he would be withdrawing from his pastoral assignments to reflect over the events of the past week and for healing.
According to him, the decision was taken after due consultation with the church leadership.
