Timothy Obi is the son of a pastor. He was among seven young men arrested for cultism and armed robbery. In this interview with FLORA ONWUDIWE, Obi reveals reasons for toeing the path of the devil. Excerpt;
Tell us about yourself
I’m 20-year-old. I’m the eldest son among five kids. I’m from Oshimili Local Government Area of Delta State. I’m an Ordinary National Diploma (OND), Part II student, studying Marketing at Gate Way Polytechnic.
What’s the name of your father and his church?
Is your dad a pastor or the General Overseer? My father’s name is Mr. Joseph Obi. He is not the general overseer of the church. He’s just a pastor there. The name of our church is Christ Church. It is located at Ojo-Alaba. We even have a branch at Gate-Way.
Why did you join the cultism?
I never had any knowledge of cultism. Chime Okafor was instrumental to my problem today. He wanted me to join their group – Black Movement of Africa. When I refused to join them, he and some of his gang waylaid me. They wanted to hurt me. I screamed to alert the community. It was my screaming that scared them away. They knew people would soon gather. They ran away. I was able to snatch a cutlass from one of them. I went to report the matter to the police. I even handed over the machete to the police. It was when I snatched the machete that I sustained injury on my hand.
What did the police do after you reported?
They went out looking for Chime Okafor, but they could not get him, the police invited his parents.
How were you initiated into cultism?
A friend of mine, Ogidan invited me to his birthday party. It was a gathering of few friends. Ogidan gave me drinks. I got drunk. I lost my senses. But I was conscious enough, to know that my eyes were blindfolded.
What happened after your eyes were blindfolded?
They said some words and asked me to repeat after them.
What were those words?
I promised to abide by the rules and regulation of the Supreme Obasi Most Eiye Confraternity. After that they poured hot drink into my eyes.
How did you get the gun?
When I was initiated in Ogidan’s party, he promised to give me what would protect me. He only asked me to source for N10, 000.
What did you plan to do with the gun?
I didn’t have any plan. I expected Ogidan to give me local charms, not gun.
Have you killed anybody before your arrest?
I have not killed anybody with the gun! The gun had never even passed a night with me before.
Your gang members said they used to rob. Do you go with them?
I’ve never gone out with them to rob before!
As a son of a pastor, how do you feel being arrested for robbery and cultism?
I feel embarrassed and disgraced. I’ve been trying to hide myself from being identified as a cultist. I’ve seen that it’s not a good thing; that’s why I go to church. I didn’t allow the gun to be with me. I kept it with Ochuko, another member.
Before your arrest, did your parents know that you were a cult member?
My parents didn’t know that I was a cult member.
When you were arrested by the police, how did your parents feel?
My parents felt sad because I have not followed the way of God.
Have your parents visited you since your arrest?
They used to tell me that my Dad comes around, but I’ve not seen him.
You were going to church when police arrested you; would you say that you were living a double life?
I was already in the church, mopping the altar, arranging things in the church before the arrival of the congregation. It was another branch of the church that my father pastors. I got the call that policemen were looking for me. I left the church and went home. My mother explained everything to me.
Most people expect a pastor’s son to be a good example to other children. What can you say about that?
I’ve prayed to God for forgiveness. What led to my trouble was because I collected the gun from Ochuko and gave it to Dele.
What message do you have for your parents?
I’ve asked for them to forgive me. If I eventually come out of this trouble, I’ll preach to cult members to surrender to God. God brought me here for a purpose. He brought me here to learn more. I’ve now known the way to live a good Christian life.
What message do you have for youths who are pastors’ sons?
As Christ has forgiven us our sins, they should find a place in their hearts to forgive me. Other people around should also forgive me as well.
Now that you’ve seen it all, what advice would you give to youths who may want to join cult?
My message to youths is that the greatest mistake any youth could ever make in life is to be a cult member or secret cult. It’s a mistake to join crime at all! The only way is Christ.
New Telegraph
http://newtelegraphonline.com/god-wanted-me-to-learn-says-pastors-son-held-for-robbery/
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