A visiting pastor has sparked outrage and widespread reactions on social media after allegedly fleeing with mobile phones surrendered by worshippers during a prayer crusade in Uromi, Edo State.
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The incident reportedly occurred when the cleric instructed members of the congregation to surrender their mobile phones at the altar before the commencement of prayers. However, the gathering allegedly took an unexpected turn when the pastor disappeared with the devices while prayers were still ongoing.
Key Highlights
- A visiting pastor allegedly disappeared with worshippers’ mobile phones during a crusade in Uromi, Edo State.
- Congregants reportedly surrendered their devices at the altar following the cleric’s instructions.
- A viral video showed distressed worshippers, with some women reportedly weeping over their missing belongings.
- Nigerians have expressed outrage, disbelief and amusement over the alleged incident.
- The circumstances surrounding the disappearance and the pastor’s whereabouts remain unverified.
A video circulating on social media captured the confusion that followed the incident, showing distressed worshippers struggling to understand what had happened, while some women were seen crying over their missing belongings.
The development has generated heated discussions online, with Nigerians expressing anger, disbelief and amusement over the alleged conduct of the cleric.
Some social media users questioned why worshippers would surrender their expensive mobile phones to a visiting pastor without adequate assurances about their safety.
How Nigerians Reacted
Reacting to the incident, Precious Chimebere wondered why people were still attending such religious gatherings in 2026.
Another commenter, Chidinmma Emmanuel, criticised the practice of moving from one prayer gathering to another, arguing that people could pray to God from the comfort of their homes.
In a sarcastic reaction, Yahuza Yusuf joked that the pastor might have been acting under the direction of the Holy Spirit to acquire the phones.
Similarly, Deej Noisy mocked the situation, suggesting that the cleric had experienced his own version of a miracle.
Other commenters focused on the possible financial value of the missing devices.
Valentine Chiemerie, for instance, imagined what would have happened if some of the missing phones included expensive iPhone 17 models.
Peace Onunkwo also described the alleged incident as a different form of collecting tithes and offerings, joking that the pastor had replaced conventional church contributions with mobile phone collection.
Meanwhile, Aliyu Abdulamid sarcastically predicted that the cleric might eventually return the devices if given enough time.
Another commenter, Ibrahim Babatunde, jokingly defended the pastor, suggesting that he might have taken the phones somewhere to charge them and would soon return.
Some reactions were even more sarcastic, with Angely Leiva suggesting that the phones might have been taken to heaven for distribution among angels.
Nwankwo Israel, however, proposed a more practical approach, advising the affected worshippers to call their phone numbers in the hope that someone might answer and provide information about the devices’ whereabouts.
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What Remains Unverified
Despite the humorous reactions, the alleged incident has raised serious concerns about trust, accountability and the security of personal belongings at religious gatherings.
As of the time of filing this report, the identity and whereabouts of the visiting pastor had not been independently established.
There was also no verified information on the number or total value of the missing phones, or whether the affected worshippers had formally reported the incident to the police.
The development has renewed conversations about the need for worshippers to exercise caution when surrendering personal belongings during religious activities and to demand proper accountability from religious leaders.
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