A 57-year-old cleric, Harrison Charles Anazodo, founder of Dayspring Assembly Church in Awada, Anambra State, has been arrested by the state’s security outfit, Agunechemba, over allegations of wife snatching, child trafficking, wife swapping and the promotion of controversial religious doctrines.

The arrest, which took place on June 13, followed a viral video in which a woman accused the pastor of allegedly luring married women, including members of his congregation, away from their husbands and taking them as wives.

According to officials, Anazodo was initially apprehended by Agunechemba operatives in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, before being transferred to the outfit’s state command for further investigation.

Authorities said the pastor is being investigated over allegations that he persuaded church members to embrace polygamy, engaged in wife swapping among followers and propagated teachings considered unorthodox by residents and former members.

The allegations have generated widespread public outrage, with many residents calling for a thorough investigation and possible prosecution if the claims are substantiated.

Reports from residents and alleged victims claim that the pastor instructed followers to wear torn clothing or dress as the opposite gender during evangelism activities and presented himself as the only true saviour sent by God.

The controversy intensified after Dr. Ejimofor Opara, Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Media, disclosed details of the arrest on social media.

According to Opara, preliminary findings indicated that the pastor allegedly took up to 75 married women from their husbands.

He further revealed that about 11 babies were found in the cleric’s residence during the operation.

“During his arrest, about eleven babies were found in his home. He claims to be the father of these eleven babies, maintaining they are from eleven of his wives. He also claims he does not know the number of wives he has married or the total number of children he has,” Opara stated.

The state government said a joint investigation involving security agencies and the police had commenced and urged members of the public with relevant information to come forward.

Speaking on the matter, Agunechemba’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Nweke Nweke, confirmed that the suspect remained in the custody of the security outfit.

“Pastor Harrison Charles was arrested based on allegations levelled against him by members of the public. Currently, the matter is under investigation. At the end of the investigation, we will issue a statement on our findings,” he said.

Some residents of Awada and Onitsha who spoke on the development alleged that the church promoted polygamy and operated under unusual practices.

A resident identified as Ekene claimed that the pastor justified polygamy with biblical references and that some church members had accused him of taking their wives.

Another resident, Kingsley Ugonna, supported the government’s action but cautioned against turning the investigation into a political witch-hunt.

“We know there are fake men of God in society, but there are also genuine ones. The investigation should be thorough and fair,” he said.

However, some members of the church defended the pastor, insisting that the allegations were motivated by jealousy and personal grievances.

One female member described Anazodo as a “true man of God” and expressed confidence that he would eventually be cleared of wrongdoing.

The case has also reignited debate over the activities of self-styled religious leaders in Anambra State, where the Soludo administration has intensified efforts to crack down on criminal activities linked to religious and traditional worship practices.

Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Dr. Law Mefor, urged residents to provide credible information on individuals posing as religious leaders while engaging in criminal activities.

“The government is calling on Ndi Anambra and all residents with credible information on pastors, churches or so-called men of God involved in criminality, extortion, fraud or deception to speak up,” Mefor said.

The commissioner assured that all information provided would be treated confidentially as part of the government’s campaign to sanitise religious and traditional worship practices in the state.

Authorities noted that several suspects, including some pastors and native doctors, are already facing prosecution under the Anambra Homeland Security Law, 2025, as the government continues its crackdown on criminality across the state.

Investigations into the allegations against Anazodo are ongoing, with security officials promising to make their findings public upon completion of the probe.