GEORGE TOWN: Five Nigerian nationals, including three women, were arrested by the police for allegedly distributing religious materials by the road side at Lebuh Carnavon here yesterday.

Timur Laut district police chief ACP Che Zaimani Che Awang said the foreign nationals, aged between 25 and 30, were arrested at about 2.30pm while distributing the religious materials, with the title "Rhapsody Of Realities".

"We received information on a group of foreigners distributing pamphlets and magazines, believed with the intention to spread Christianity, at several locations in George Town and Lebuh Carnavon.

"Prior to that, we received a report from the central police station on a similar incident and following investigation, found the five foreign nationals were also involved,” he told reporters here.

He said the five foreigners, who did not possess valid travel documents, came to Penang with seven others last Tuesday and the police were now looking for those seven individuals to facilitate further investigations.

Meanwhile, Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) district police chief ACP Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said the station had received three reports on alleged distribution of the Bible to students in front of a secondary school in Bukit Mertajam, as had gone viral on social media.

He said one of the reports was lodged by the father of a student at the school, while the other two by representatives from two non-governmental organisations.

"Following investigation, it was found that the incident took place last Nov 2 between 12.10pm and 12.30pm ... two men distributed the books (Bible) at the front exit while another at the rear gate of the school.

"It is learnt that about 200 of the New Testament (Psalms Proverbs) were distributed to Malay, Chinese and Indian students at the school,” he added.

He said the police would visit the school today to facilitate the investigation. — Bernama