Father of the nine-year old boy found chained in a room in a Celestial Church of Christ in Ota, Ogun State has confessed to the police that he chained the boy to exorcise the spirit of stealing in him.

The man, Pastor Francis Taiwo, who was arrested by the State Police Command told detectives that he chained his son, Korede, because he was not comfortable with his stealing habit.

Pastor Taiwo, of Key of Joy Celestial Church, Ajibawo near Atan, Ota, was arrested with the help of members of the church in Ota.

The boy, Korede, was rescued by security operatives more than a month in a room tied with chain.

Investigations revealed that Pastor Taiwo hailed from neighbouring Benin Republic, but was born in Ota, in the same Celestial Church and was ordained as a Pastor in the church in 2012.

Newly Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, Abdulmajid Ali directed that the case be transferred to the Anti Human Trafficking and Child Labour Unit of the Ogun State Command, Abeokuta, for investigation and prosecution.

The police said the Cele pastor was married to two wives before he married Kehinde Taiwo, the step-mother to Korede, who was a suspect in the ongoing case.

Francis, father of five, confirmed that Korede’s mother, Marine Taiwo, hailed from Delta State and was late.

And that she had four children for him, Two boys and two girls, before she divorced him in 2007, just after she was delivered of Korede.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Muyiwa Adejobi, said none of Korede’s siblings stays with the Pastor and he confirmed that he chained Korede because he felt he’s possessed and he’s not comfortable with his stealing habit.