The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the release on bail of Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Senior Pastor of House on the Rock Church, after questioning him over a viral video showing him holding a gun-like object while confronting a road user.
In an official statement, the police revealed that the object in question was a stun gun, not a firearm, but noted that it remains classified as a prohibited anti-riot device under Nigerian law.
“What was recovered from him, the gun-like object seen in the viral video, is not a lethal weapon or firearm but a stun gun,” the police said, adding that Adefarasin voluntarily turned himself in and submitted a cautionary statement during his interrogation.
The viral video, recorded earlier this month, showed Adefarasin driving a Range Rover, lowering his window, and appearing to confront a road user while holding a black object in his hand — prompting widespread speculation that it was a pistol.
Responding to the controversy, Adefarasin denied carrying a firearm, saying: “That was certainly not a firearm, and at no point did I point such at anyone.”
Addressing his congregation during a live-streamed service on Sunday, the 62-year-old cleric called the accusations “hurtful” and “malicious”, insisting he was falsely accused of pointing a weapon at what he described as an “aggressive content creator” who had approached his vehicle.
“I do not have a pistol licence. I do not carry a firearm. And I pointed no firearm at anybody,” he said.
Adefarasin also condemned the spread of misinformation and suggested the incident was exploited for profit. “We have witnessed clickbaiters just looking for more money,” he said, adding that he was “shocked and hurt” by the online backlash.
Police say investigations into the case are ongoing.
