The Nigeria Police say they have rescued 15 people kept chained in an illegal prayer house in Ijegun area of Lagos State, following a tip-off.

Some of the victims, who were men and women between the ages of 19 and 50 were said to have spent about five years in the facility.

The Police said they were reportedly brought there by relatives who believed that spiritual treatment could help cure their mental illnesses, drug addiction and other health conditions.

The man who ran the facility who called himself a prophet has also been arrested. The 58-year-old told the police that he had been running the ‘healing ministry’ since 1986 and that the people had been chained to prevent them from escaping.

“Police are working closely with other agencies of government to provide adequate medical attention and shelter to the victims,” Police spokesman, Bala Elkana told newsmen

This is the latest raid on such privately run facilities where people are often kept, most times against their wish, in deplorable and inhumane conditions.