Port Harcourt — A Divisional Crime Officer and eight other policemen serving in Rivers State have been arrested by the command over the death of a pastor of the Living Faith Church in Etche Local Government Council of the state.

Daily Trust gathered yesterday that the police officers who are serving with the Okehi police division were said to be detained at the state police headquarters in Port Harcourt following the death of Pastor Godwin Onwudebe while under arrest.

Our correspondent gathered that the 60-year-old pastor was arrested after praying at a community square in Umuala Ulakwo community and calling on the people to shun community deity to follow the Jesus Christ.

The late pastor's son, Wisdom Godwin, told newsmen that after the prayer, the community accused his father of neutralizing the powers of the gods of the community and was later arrested after paying a fine of N60,000 to the appease the community.

Godwin said, "On 16th May, 2012, at about 2.00 am, I heard my father shouting, the blood of Jesus, I thought he was praying but when I came out as the shouting persisted, I saw nine armed policemen who were dragging my father out, saying 'you are under arrest'."

The state commissioner of police, Muhammed Indabawa, confirmed the incident, saying the matter was still under investigation.