The Lagos State Police Command has cleared Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Senior Pastor of the House on the Rock Church, of allegations that he was seen wielding a firearm in a viral video that circulated online earlier this year.
The video, which surfaced in early June, sparked widespread debate and speculation on social media, with many accusing the popular cleric of brandishing a gun in public.
The footage, reportedly captured by a TikTok content creator known for filming luxury cars in Lagos traffic, appeared to show Adefarasin holding an object resembling a handgun while sitting in his vehicle. T
he incident drew both criticism and defense from Nigerians, with some questioning the appropriateness of a pastor possessing or displaying a weapon.
In response to the controversy, Adefarasin promptly denied the allegations. He clarified that the object was not a firearm and insisted that at no point did he point it at anyone.
His clarification, however, did little to quell the online debates, prompting police authorities to launch an official inquiry into the matter.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the cleric voluntarily presented himself at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja to assist with investigations. During the process, he was interrogated and provided a cautionary statement.
Adebisi explained that a thorough review of the evidence confirmed that the object seen in the viral video was not a firearm but a stun gun—an electroshock device designed for self-defense and classified as non-lethal.
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“Consequent on our findings, the command has determined that there are no sufficient grounds to proceed with the matter. The case is hereby discontinued,” Adebisi said.
The police spokesperson further emphasized the importance of transparency in handling such matters, noting that the Command remains committed to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding public trust. She assured members of the public that investigations into sensitive cases are always handled with diligence and accountability.
The resolution of the matter has brought an end to months of speculation that trailed the clergyman after the video went viral. By clarifying that the device in question was non-lethal, the police sought to lay to rest concerns that Adefarasin had breached firearm laws or endangered members of the public.
For Adefarasin, who has led one of Nigeria’s most prominent churches for decades, the clearance offers relief and an opportunity to focus once again on his pastoral duties.
Neither the pastor nor his church has issued a fresh public statement following the police’s decision, but supporters have welcomed the outcome as a vindication of his earlier denial.
With the police now closing the case, the matter is expected to fade from public attention, bringing to an end one of the more unusual controversies involving a Nigerian clergyman in recent memory.
NAN
