FOUNDER of Love Fire Ministry, a Benin-based Pentecostal Church, Pastor Godwin Emmanuel, has been killed by gunmen in Benin. He opened the church about 11 months ago.
In a related development, a middle-aged woman, Mrs Pat Oyo Omo-Osagie, met her death Sunday night in the hands of gunmen, who trailed her to her residence, located along Adesuwa road, GRA, Benin, Edo State capital. Pastor Godwin Emmanuel, who was also known as Prophet Speed, was shot dead on Sunday night along Oko Central Road, off Airport Road, Benin, Edo state.
Head of media in the church, Festus Edema, who narrated the incident to journalists, said the pastor was on his way to distribute food items to members of his church when he was shot dead by yet-to-be identified gunmen. He explained that the gunmen pretended to be pushing their car that broke down, adding that, “the man of God stopped for them to pass so that he can have his way. He did not know that the people were after him as they shot him in the chest and stomach.
“Being a strong man, he still tried to move back and as he was reversing the car, he hit the fence and they came back and shot him at close range.” Also speaking, a member of the church, who identified himself simply as Pastor Esquire, said the news of the death of cleric devastated him. He said: “When I heard about the news of his death, it was devastating and shocking. It is a painful one, very painful.
But God will give us the strength to go through it.” When journalists visited the premises of the church, situated at 3, Ugiagbe Street, off Country Home Motel Road, in Benin, members of the church were seen discussing the incident in groups.
On Mrs Omo-Osagie, who operated a provision/snacks store along Agenmomen Road, a stone throw away from the state police headquarters, some family members and neighbours, who described the incident as shocking and unfortunate, said the deceased was returning from her shop when the gunmen trailed and shot her at the entrance of her residence. One of the sympathisers, Mrs. Mata Ojeikere, described the late Mrs. Omo-Osagie as a woman with a heart of gold. Ojeikere said: “From the look of things, it is like they were at the gate, waiting for her.
They did not take anything from her car. She has a heart of gold. Her heart is like glass; you can see through her. She was such a nice person.” The state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Haliru Gwandu, who confirmed both incidents, disclosed that two persons have been arrested in connection with the killing of Mrs Omo- Osagie, while no arrest has been made in the killing of the Pastor. Mr. Haliru Gwandu, who lamented the increase in cases of killings in the state, said men of his command are not relenting in their desire to rid the state of criminals.
Comments
Post a Comment