Paul Adefarasin, the senior pastor of House on the Rock Church, disputes allegations that he was seen brandishing a gun in a widely shared video. Adefarasin was seen in the video talking to a content creator who was filming his Range Rover while carrying a metallic object.

In the 10-second clip, the tinted glass rolls down as a black Range Rover slows down close to the cameraman. Adefarasin is greeted by the content producer, but the pastor seems to react angrily while brandishing what some viewers thought was a firearm.

The item seen in the video was not a firearm, and he did not point it at anyone, Adefarasin said in a statement shared on his social media accounts, characterizing the accusations as a misunderstanding.

“You might be aware of a video circulating on social media showing me in what some have misunderstood as brandishing a firearm. I want to assure you — that was certainly not a firearm, and at no point did I point such at anyone,” he said.

Online discussions about the incident have been contentious, with some arguing that the pastor’s actions were required for self-defense and others raising concerns about his conduct as a pastor.

Regarding the object he was holding, internet users are still speculating; some have suggested that it might be a stun torch.