Nigerian Pastor Arrested for Hiring Cultists to Kill Rival Pastor

News Update

Operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit of the Bayelsa State Police Command have arrested a Delta State–born pastor, Elijah Oro, over an alleged plot to assassinate a rival in the state.

According to Sahara reporters, police sources said Pastor Oro allegedly engaged a 21-year-old man, Samuel Daniel, believed to be a member of a notorious cult group known as the Greenlanders, to carry out the attack.

The alleged plot was reportedly linked to a dispute over church membership and property.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, the police said the arrests followed actionable intelligence.

DSP Mohammed added that both suspects are alleged to be involved in a plot to kill a prophet, whose name was withheld, and that investigations are ongoing.

“On 28th January, 2026, at about 1035 hours, operatives attached to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit, acting on credible intelligence, swung into action and arrested two suspects namely; Samuel Daniel ‘m’ 21 years old, from Nembe Ogbolomabiri Community, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and Pastor Elijah Oro ‘m’, 59 years old, from Ozoro Community, Delta State both involved with an alleged plot to kill prophet name [withheld],” the statement read.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspects, Samuel Daniel ‘m’ 21 year was arrested in the premises of the prophet and have confessed to being a member of the Greenlanders Confraternity and was allegedly hired by Pastor Elijah Oro ‘m’ to assassinate prophet (name withheld). Investigation is ongoing to unravel the motive behind the alleged plot.”