It was quite a sight on Wednesday as a yet-to-be-identified policeman and an okada rider were killed at the Sotitobire Praising Chapel, Oshinle Quarters, Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The angry youths set the church ablazed over the disappearance of a one-year-old boy, Gold Kolawole, who went missing about a month ago. The situation however became more tense as the body of the child was said to have been exhumed from the church altar, an information that could not be confirmed at the time of filing this report..
It was gathered that the church was attacked by residents when some pastors of the church started morning service on Wednesday as the mob claimed the church was not remorseful over the disappearance incident.
The policeman who was reportedly killed was said to have been mobbed, while the okada rider was reportedly shot while police were dispersing protesters.
The pastor of the church, Prophet Alfa Babatunde, was said to be in the custody of the Directorate of State Service.
However, the Ondo State Police Command has asked the public to disregard the rumour making the rounds that the body of the child was exhumed from the church.
In a terse statement by its spokesaman, Femi Joseph, the command said the information was essential so as to stop the rumour, while confirming that the church was set ablaze and police officers attacked.
”The church building was also set ablaze by irate youths. Some of our officers despatched to the scene to contain the situation were pelted with stones with many of them sustaining injuries. Their patrol vehicle was also badly damaged.
”This rejoinder became necessary to disabuse the minds of many Nigerians who might have fallen for this wicked lies and propaganda. The public should also not be hoodwinked by reports that the command has abandoned the investigation of the incident,as the case file is already on the way to the DPP for legal advice,” the statement said.