Nigerian Pastor Arrested By Benin Republic Police Released, Says No Regrets In Defending Fatherland
Nigerian missionary, Pastor Kunle Garb, who was arrested and prosecuted by Benin Republic authorities, has been released.
Garb, in a statement he signed in Abeokuta on Wednesday, said he was released on Tuesday night from Porto-Novo prisons.
He was arrested at Igbokofi market on Thursday, June 24 in Yewa-North local government area of Ogun state about three weeks ago by Benin Republic police.
Garb, a missionary in the village was arrested and prosecuted . His interpreter, Benjamin Amosu was also arrested few days after Garb was whisked away to Benin Republic
It was gathered that Garb was arrested by Benin Republic policemen for resisting their encroachment on Nigeria land through Igbokofi village.
Following his arrest, as activists, civil rights groups and the Nigerian senate called for his immediate release.
The arrest of the Pastor attracted the attention of Governor Dapo Abiodun and Senator Tolu Odebiyi of Ogun West, who cried out to the Federal Government for its intervention in securing the arrest of Garb and forestalling similar incidents.
Reacting to his release on Wednesday, Garb appreciated God for giving him the gift of life, saying “though passing through Benin Republic is not palatable, God granted me the grace to pass through it unhurt.”
He narrated that he was “unlawfully arrested and detained by Benin Republic police officers on the Thursday, 24th day of June, 2021 right inside Igbokofi market that belongs to Nigeria but now being claimed by Benin republic since 2008.”
Garb said he was taken away for “defending Nigeria, my fatherland from being encroached into by Benin Republic.”
Additionally, he pleaded that the only things that could ease his pain and unpleasant treatment he was subjected to in the hands of Benin Republic security operatives was for the government to take the issues of encroachment seriously and attend to the needs of the people of Igbokofi.
While saying he has no regrets in all he went through in the hands of Benin Republic government for Nigeria, Garb requested that Ijoun-Igbokofi road should be made motorable.
He asked government to ensure the speedy “return of the pillars removed by Benin Republic and replanted to favour their country.”
Garb also wants security agencies of Nigeria to have their duty post in Igbokofi, especially the police, which he said have their post ready in the community.
Igbokofi market, according to him, is very strategic in the fight “to reclaim the stolen land by Benin Republic,” saying it must be reclaimed as soon as possible.
He added;
Igbokofi people must be made to feel the presence of all the arms of Nigerian Government by providing water, hospital and security. Without doing the above, my unlawful arrest and detention will be a waste and I’ll see it as a punishment in vain.
