Assemblies of God condemns church attack, seeks probe

The General Council of the Assemblies of God Nigeria has condemned the recent violent incident at one of its churches in Ughelli, Delta State, where a Senior Pastor and his family were attacked by individuals dressed in Royal Rangers uniforms.

In an official statement issued by its Media Ministries on Tuesday, the Church described the incident, which occurred on April 12, 2026, as “unfortunate and deeply troubling,” noting that it resulted in injuries and emotional trauma.

The church emphasized that Royal Rangers, as a faith-based arm of the ministry, are strictly non-combatant, spiritually guided, and prohibited from engaging in violence or any form of self-help.

According to the statement, preliminary findings indicate that the Royal Rangers leadership at all levels neither had knowledge of nor authorised the invasion or assault carried out in the name of the organization.

“True Royal Rangers are saved, born-again members aligned with the values and character of the Church.

They do not bear arms or take the law into their own hands,” the statement read.

The church leadership further disclosed that the matter has been formally reported to law enforcement agencies, who have commenced a full-scale investigation to identify those responsible and determine the legitimacy of their use of the Royal Rangers uniform.

In addition, the Church under the Leadership of Rev Dr Abel Amadi as General Superintendent has initiated an internal inquiry to ascertain both the immediate and underlying causes of the incident.

The General Council assured members of the Christian community, and the public that justice will be served without bias.

Church authorities also confirmed that the situation is currently under control, with District and General Council leaders actively managing the process through established administrative and spiritual frameworks.

While describing the issue as an internal matter, the Church urged the public and media to avoid speculation or sensational reporting, calling instead for prayers, patience, and unity as investigations continue.