One person reportedly killed, Congregation robbed as gunmen invade Church
On Saturday, armed assailants stormed the God’s Doing Healing and Deliverance Ministry in Orodo, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, resulting in the tragic death of Samuel Ogbonna, a youth leader.
Ogbonna, who owned the local ‘Feel at Home’ restaurant and bar, was also a trusted aide to the church’s General Overseer, Evangelist Maduabuchi Ernest, widely known as “Dibia Ekpere” or “Father MEMC.”
According to a source who spoke with Leadership but requested anonymity, the attackers, about eight in number, arrived at the church around 4 p.m. during a service. They came in two vehicles, a red Highlander and a black Lexus sedan.
Upon arrival, the gunmen demanded to see the General Overseer but were angered when informed that he had not yet arrived. They then forced the congregation to lie face down on the floor.
The source said: “I have never seen anything like this before. The gunmen upon arrival at the church and couldn’t see the Pastor, ordered us all to lie face down on the floor during which they collected all our personal belongings like phones, bags, and cash before they zoomed off.
“While driving out of the church compound, we heard several gun shots followed by a loud shout which we later learnt was from one of us, Elder Ogbonna.
“He was returning into the church to rejoin us in the ongoing programme after he had left to run errands, but on seeing them, he had run into a nearby bush but they pursued him and shot him several times there. After driving few kilometres, they released those our two members who they had earlier kidnapped.”
“Just before driving out, they abducted two members, a man and a nursing mother, though they later released them along the Owerri-Orlu Expressway. They also made away with the church owner’s car.”
He mentioned that the incident had caused widespread fear in the area, with residents concerned for their safety. Some people had even fled Orodo to protect themselves, and the church had since been locked up.