The Sunday Service Sting That Brought Down the Turn of Mercy Church Founder

Lagos, Nigeria – Worshippers at the Turn of Mercy Church in Lekki were left in shock last Sunday after their spiritual leader, Prophet Adefolusho Aanu Olasele, also known as Abbas Ajakaiye, was arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) over his alleged role in multiple high-volume shipments of cannabis from Ghana to Nigeria.

According to NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi, the arrest followed weeks of undercover surveillance after the cleric was linked to two major cannabis seizures in June and July 2025.

The first bust occurred on June 4, when NDLEA intercepted a boatload of 200 kg of “Ghana Loud” cannabis at Okun Ajah Beach, Lagos. Barely a month later, on July 6, agents recovered a staggering 700 kg of the same strain hidden in a van, also traced to Olasele.

Investigators allege that the church founder operated a cross-border trafficking network, moving cannabis from Ghana into Nigeria via waterways. After narrowly evading capture in both operations, Olasele reportedly fled to Ghana before slipping back into Lagos.

Sources say NDLEA operatives patiently waited outside Turn of Mercy Church on Sunday, August 3, allowing the service to conclude before moving in. Eyewitnesses recount seeing plainclothes officers shadow the cleric as he stepped out, calmly taking him into custody without alarming the congregation.

One church member, who asked not to be named, told reporters:

“We thought it was a regular meeting with visitors. Nobody suspected it was NDLEA until the pastor didn’t return.”

NDLEA claims Olasele has admitted to orchestrating the shipments, revealing that his syndicate’s operations involved carefully planned maritime routes to bypass security checks. While the church maintained an image of charity and community support, authorities believe it may have been used as a front to mask the illegal trade.

“No individual, regardless of their title or position, is above the law. We call on religious, community, and family leaders to join the fight against drug trafficking and about the dangers of drug trafficking.

The arrest has sent ripples through Lagos’s religious circles, with many calling for accountability and thorough investigation. Social media reactions range from disbelief to outrage, with hashtags like #PastorDrugBust and #GhanaLoudSaga trending nationwide.

For now, Olasele remains in NDLEA custody as investigations continue. If convicted, he faces decades in prison.