Gambian pastor absconds with 52 phones, money after crusade in Ibadan.

Reports also has it that the pastor has been declared wanted by people of the area in which the crusade took place.

A Gambian pastor, Dr. Owen Abraham has been declared wanted after absconding with 52 phones, money and other valuable items of worshippers that attended a crusade he organised at Aponrin Agbowo area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

According to reports gathered from witnesses, Abraham claimed he was led by God from the Gambia to hold the crusade in Ibadan.

On the third day of the crusade, Abraham allegedly claimed that the Holy Spirit directed him to tell people to hand in their mobile phones and other valuables they may possess, only to later abscond with them.

The victims claimed they were directed to fast and pray for three days by the crusader, only to find out that all efforts to reach him on the third day proved abortive.

One his victims while speaking with the Vanguard disclosed that the pastor promised to give each widow that attended a bag of rice and money, while he promised to empower students with scholarships.

She said: “The pastor approached an Igbo lady in our area to assist him to gather widows and students, saying he wanted to help us.

“Someone in my area invited me for the crusade. He wore pastor regalia. He said he will buy a house for one of us and that the house will be fully furnished.

“He promised some people that attended the crusade money. Even politicians cannot give out such amounts he promised.

“On the last day of the crusade, he sold a bottle of water for us at the rate of N4,800. He said perfume is inside the bottle water. Many people paid for the water.”

Another victim (a student) said: “He said no phone should ring, that was why he collected all the phones. In fact, a lady stood up and wanted to take his photographs but he seized the phone from her.

“On the last day of the crusade, he said he wanted to go and rest at the hotel where he lodged. He later said he wanted to go and eat at UI; we don’t know how he escaped with our belongings.

“As a man of God, we respected him a lot, we didn’t know that he wanted to use the name of God to dupe us.”

Meanwhile, Abraham has been declared wanted by residents of the area the crusade was held. Posters bearing his image have also been circulated to track him down.