THE Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, voluntarily reported to authorities in connection with a viral video that showed him holding a black object believed by some to resemble a firearm.
In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the police said: “No one is above the law. Pastor Paul Adefarasin has turned himself in at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja, and is currently being interrogated by detectives who have commenced investigation into the case.”
The video, which surfaced earlier this month, shows the popular cleric inside a black Range Rover, interacting with a road user through a lowered window while holding an unidentified dark object. The footage quickly went viral, with online speculation suggesting the object might be a gun.
In response, Pastor Adefarasin issued a statement via his verified X handle, denying the claims and clarifying that the object was not a firearm.
“You might be aware of a video circulating on social media showing me in what some have misunderstood as brandishing a firearm. I want to assure you — that was certainly not a firearm, and at no point did I point such at anyone,” he wrote.
He also addressed the incident during a recent Sunday service livestream, describing the claims as “malicious” and “hurtful.”
“I was falsely accused of pointing a firearm at an aggressive content creator who approached me at close range. I don’t have a pistol licence. I do not carry a firearm. I pointed no firearm at anyone,” Adefarasin told his congregation.
He further accused online content creators of pushing a misleading narrative for financial gain.
“We’ve seen clickbaiters exploiting situations for money. I was just collateral damage in their pursuit of viral attention,” he said.
Reflecting on the personal toll of the controversy, the 62-year-old pastor admitted the incident left him shocked and emotionally affected. Still, he expressed faith that good would come out of the situation.
“I am human, and it hurt. But I trust that what the enemy meant for evil, God will use for good,” he added.
The police have stated that the outcome of the investigation will be made public once completed.