CALABAR, NIGERIA— A 47-year-old former gang leader and self-confessed violent offender, Uneke Henry, has renounced his past, abandoned his weapons, and embraced a new life of evangelism under the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), declaring his resolve to lead others away from crime.
In an interview, Henry, who is from Ugoni village in Obosi community of Ohazara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, recounted a life marked by prolonged violence, criminality, and substance abuse.
He admitted that he was involved in killings, armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, and other illicit activities. He described himself as once driven by brutality and addiction, living without regard for human life or societal values.
In a deeply reflective testimony, he said his transformation began in early March 2026, which he attributed to a spiritual encounter that compelled him to abandon crime.
“I threw away my guns because I no longer had need for them,” he said, adding that his life has since taken a completely different direction.
Henry disclosed that he was formerly the head of a notorious gang known as “The New Movement of Africa,” also called “Black Cats,” and held influential positions within multiple violent networks. He admitted that for years he operated without fear, often acting on instructions to carry out attacks and other criminal operations.
He also recounted his time in incarceration at the Enugu State Maximum Security Prison, where he spent nine years. During that period, he masterminded a jailbreak in 2009 that resulted in multiple casualties and drew national attention. He sustained severe injuries during the incident, including fractures and gunshot wounds, which he still bears.
Despite his hardened past, Henry said seeds of transformation had long been planted through earlier encounters with the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, introduced to his community decades ago by a relative who had reportedly experienced healing. While he had been familiar with the church’s presence, he said he never took its message seriously until much later.
He recalled that a turning point came during his time in prison when a BCS evangelist visited and delivered a message that resonated deeply with him, reviving an earlier prophecy he had ignored. That moment, he said, began a gradual internal change that would later culminate in his decision to embrace a new path.
Following his release, Henry said he struggled with depression, confusion, and isolation, even making attempts to end his life. He described a period of emotional breakdown before eventually seeking refuge at a BCS Bethel in Enugu, where he received prayers, care, and support that he believes marked the beginning of his restoration.
Since his baptism two months ago, he said he has found peace and purpose, choosing to remain within the Bethel environment while dedicating himself to spiritual growth and service. He now travels to share his story, urging others to abandon crime and embrace transformation.
Henry expressed determination to reach out to former associates still involved in criminal activities, saying his mission is to persuade them to lay down their arms and seek a different path.
While acknowledging the gravity of his past actions, he maintained that his focus is now on restitution, personal reform, and contributing positively to society. He emphasised that his new life is anchored on peace, discipline, and faith, noting that his transformation, though difficult for many to believe, is genuine.
Observers say his story underscores the complex realities of crime, rehabilitation, and the possibility of change, while also highlighting the need for structured reintegration and support systems for reformed individuals.
