A pastor identified as Somto has been caught in a fraudulent act, burying charms in the compound of a family that invited him for a supposed "family deliverance" in Enugu State. The incident, which has sent ripples through the local community, exposed the pastor's deceptive practices aimed at exploiting vulnerable families seeking spiritual relief from ancestral curses and evil forces.
According to eyewitness accounts, Pastor Somto, originally from Atani in Anambra State but now based in Asaba, Delta State, where he runs a deliverance ministry, was invited by the unsuspecting family to conduct prayers and spiritual cleansing. However, things took a dramatic turn when vigilant family members noticed suspicious activities during the prayer session.
The pastor was allegedly caught red-handed burying what appeared to be fake charms in the family’s yard. These charms, it was revealed, were meant to be "discovered" by him during the deliverance prayers, a ruse that would convince the family that their misfortunes were caused by evil forces or ancestral curses. By pretending to unearth the so-called charms, Pastor Somto would claim victory over the family's spiritual oppressors, thus gaining their trust and possibly extracting large sums of money in the name of spiritual freedom.
In a viral video that has since spread across social media platforms, Pastor Somto can be seen pleading for mercy as angry mobs descend on him. The mob, made up of angry locals who were outraged by the pastor's deceit, demanded justice for his exploitation of people's spiritual fears.
The pastor admitted to planting the fake charms beforehand and confessed to staging the entire deliverance process. He claimed that the idea was to dig up the buried items during the prayers and act as if they were the cause of the family’s problems, which he would then “miraculously” solve. In the video, Pastor Somto, dressed in a white robe, begged for forgiveness while being surrounded by enraged community members. His pleas for mercy, however, did little to calm the crowd, who were infuriated by his betrayal of trust and manipulation of their faith.
Pastor Somto’s deception is not an isolated case, as several other incidents of fake pastors exploiting families under the guise of spiritual deliverance have surfaced in various parts of Nigeria. Many self-proclaimed prophets and pastors have been known to stage elaborate schemes involving fake miracles, false prophecies, and the burying or planting of charms to extract money from desperate families.
Authorities have been alerted to the situation, and there is an ongoing investigation into the pastor’s activities. Local leaders and community elders have urged the public to be cautious and to thoroughly vet spiritual leaders before allowing them into their homes for such sensitive spiritual matters. Meanwhile, religious bodies are being called upon to help regulate the activities of rogue pastors who prey on the fears and vulnerabilities of people seeking divine intervention.
As news of the scandal spreads, many are questioning the ethics of deliverance ministries and calling for stricter regulations in the religious sector. Families across the country are being advised to remain vigilant against fraudulent activities disguised as spiritual help.
The Enugu community is still reeling from the exposure of Pastor Somto’s fraudulent schemes, and many hope that his arrest will serve as a deterrent to other charlatans who exploit faith for personal gain. The public awaits further updates on the case as legal actions are expected to follow.
This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder for families to be careful when seeking spiritual solutions to their problems and to be wary of those who claim to possess supernatural powers for personal and financial gains.
