A 56-year-old pastor and author from Louisiana, United States, has been convicted of stealing over $340,000 from two churches where he ministered.

The pastor, Dale Sanders, used the money to fund gambling and other personal expenses.

Sanders was found guilty on a 25-count federal indictment, which included charges of wire fraud, access device fraud, and obstruction of a federal investigation, following a five-day jury trial, according to the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Prosecutors said Sanders, a resident of Kenner, withdrew money from one church’s bank accounts and transferred the funds for his personal use to support lavish spending, including gambling, dining, and living expenses.

According to his social media profiles, Sanders served as pastor of Fifth African Baptist Church in New Orleans and Second New Guide Missionary Baptist Church in Metairie.

Authorities also said he used a church debit card to make unauthorized personal purchases and obtained cash, goods, and services worth more than $340,000.

The fraudulent activities were said to have taken place between April 2020 and April 2024.

Prosecutors further alleged that Sanders submitted a falsified record in response to a federal grand jury subpoena during the investigation.

After he was indicted in April, Sanders shared a video on his social media pages asking members of his congregation to pray for both him and what he described as his “enemy.”

He is also the author of the book Strut Your Stutter, in which he encourages readers to “be peacock proud of whoever you are and whatever you’re working with.”

Sanders faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, up to three years of supervised release after completing his prison term, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 for each count.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 13.

A fire outbreak on Thursday destroyed the electronics section on the second floor of Justrite Superstore along Akowonjo Road in the Egbeda-Akowonjo area of Lagos, with no casualties recorded.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service disclosed this in a statement saying it received a distress call at about 8:15 a.m. and arrived at the scene at 8:28 a.m.

According to the report, firefighters from the Abesan and Agege Fire Stations responded to the incident at No. 116, Akowonjo Road, Justrite Superstore, Jimoh Bus Stop, Egbeda-Akowonjo.

The agency said the fire affected the second floor of the commercial building, where the electronics section of the supermarket is located.

On arrival, firefighters immediately deployed firefighting equipment and began coordinated operations to contain the blaze, prevent it from spreading to other parts of the building, and protect lives, property, and the surrounding environment.

The Fire Service confirmed that the fire had been completely extinguished, while recovery and mop-up operations were still ongoing.

“The fire has been put out as recovery of the remains is ongoing to bring the mop us exercise to a wrap,” the statement said. 

The agency added that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have originated from an alternative power source, specifically a solar inverter system.

“The cause of the fire is suggestive of alternative power source solar inverter system while no casualty has been recorded,” the statement added.  

The Controller General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, confirmed the development, noting that no lives were lost in the incident.

Repeated bandit attacks have forced residents to flee Tashar Mayanchi and more than 10 neighbouring communities in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, leaving many of the villages largely deserted.

The development was contained in a post shared on X on Thursday by security analyst, Bakatsine.

According to him, the attacks lasted for four consecutive days, forcing residents to abandon their homes in search of safety.

He said more than 40 people are still being held captive by the bandits following the attacks.

“Yesterday, repeated bandit attacks forced residents to flee Tashar Mayanchi and more than 10 surrounding communities in Maru LGA of Zamfara State, leaving once-thriving villages largely deserted. Local sources say more than 40 people remain in captivity after four consecutive days of attacks, raising fears that continued displacement could allow bandits to threaten the Zamfara–Sokoto highway and further isolate affected communities.

“How many more rural communities must be emptied before meaningful security reaches there?” Bakatsine asked.