Nigerian pastor, Tomi Arayomi and his wife, Tahmar, were unlawfully arrested and detained by Department of State Services (DSS) operatives on Friday, April 7. The incident sparked an uproar from the Christian community in Nigeria, and the couple was released hours later. Pastor Arayomi, the founder of Restoring Issachar’s Generation (RIG) Nation, has now issued an official statement on his Instagram page, shedding more light on the arrest.
In his statement, Arayomi confirmed that they were indeed arrested, and their release was due to the pressure mounted on social media. He also mentioned that his personal assistant is still in DSS custody, while he and his wife have fled the country on the advice of their families and colleagues. Arayomi revealed that on Good Friday, they arrived in Abuja to visit one of their branches when about six armed agents, who did not identify themselves as DSS or any law enforcement agency, picked them up. He said that they were forced to surrender their mobile phones and enter the vehicles, where they were taken at considerable speed to what they later learned were DSS headquarters. The officers, some of whom wore balaclavas, were not immediately recognizable as DSS. Their pictures were taken, finger prints and data collected, and they were locked inside a room with no real knowledge as to the grounds for their arrest.
After a lengthy interrogation, media and social media pressure forced the DSS to release Arayomi and his wife. However, his aide still remains under DSS custody, and they do not have any information about his exact whereabouts. Arayomi said that they would not divulge the particulars of the investigation at this point as they are still awaiting the safe release of his aide.
Out of concern for his young children and his wife’s well-being, Arayomi made the unfortunate decision to leave Nigeria abruptly. He confirmed that the decision did not come lightly but with considerable prayer and counsel from their board, trustees, colleagues in the ministry, and respective families. Arayomi also said that they are safe and will continue to work and pray for a new Nigeria. He added that they remain resolute that they will return to the nation that they have grown to call their home, but for now, they will continue to press, pray, and give God no rest until Nigeria becomes a praise in the earth. Arayomi emphasized that they did not come to Nigeria under any illusion of comfort, but to serve the Lord, fully aware of the danger. He thanked every leader and friend who reached out, called, texted, and posted, adding that they are so grateful. He ended his statement by saying that this is not goodbye but see you soon in a new and better Nigeria.
Arayomi's statement has generated a lot of reactions on social media, with many expressing their disappointment and calling for justice for the clergyman and his family.
