Attackers arrested
Attackers of church vigil in Osun arrested. Three suspects were paraded at the Osun State Police Command’s headquarters on Tuesday in connection with an alleged attack on a Celestial Church in Odu Village, near Osogbo.
The suspects allegedly attacked the church during a vigil early Tuesday morning.
During the attack, the attackers kidnapped 12 church members, but the victims escaped when they ran into some hunters and other local volunteers who reacted to the distress call.
During the incident, the criminals allegedly raped a church member whose identity was not revealed.
During an interview with PUNCH Metro, a musician who was invited to the vigil by the pastor in charge of the church, Esther Ayodeji, stated, “I arrived at the church a few minutes after 10pm on Monday to prepare for the vigil.” We began the vigil about midnight. My drummers remained in the church after my sermon, but I exited.
“A few minutes later, we heard gunshots from where I was standing with the pastor.” We all raced towards the bush because the church is located in a wooded area. Seven of us eventually met in the woods. We were six women and a man. As we were wandering in the bush, two armed men suddenly appeared in front of us and we all ran in different directions.”
Another church member, who did not want his name printed, said the raped church member was treated at a hospital and that the kidnapping failed due to the swift response of the villagers, hunters, and police operatives.
Yemisi Opalola, the state Police Public Relations Officer, who urged religious organisations against holding programs late at night or early in the morning, especially in remote locations, said the three suspects captured near the scene were still being interviewed.
Parading other suspects that included those arrested for membership of unlawful societies and armed robbery, Opalola said Adebayo Adedayo and Adeyemi Sodiq had attacked a business owner in Iragbiji and stole money and items estimated at N877,000.
She added that Yusuf Baoku and Ajayi Ismail, who were arrested for attempted murder and membership of an unlawful society, and other suspects would be charged to court after the completion of the investigation.