The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old pastor, Mercy Okoch, and nine members of his Truth and The Spirit Prophetic Church over the death of an Oro worshipper.
Punch Metro gathered that the victim, 25-year-old Agboola Akeem, was reportedly stoned to death around 6:30 P.M on Tuesday during a clash at the church’s location at 2 Sanni Taiwo Lawal street in Oko Oba, Lagos.
Officers attached to the Oko Oba Police Division swung into action after receiving a distress call that the church was about to be set ablaze.
The traditional worshippers allegedly invaded the church premises asking the church members to discontinue their service, as they were also celebrating their Oro festival.
Following the invasion, a disagreement ensued between the traditional worshippers and the church members which degenerated into a fight.
In the process, one of the traditional worshippers was allegedly stoned to death. This caused a rage among the other traditional worshippers who vowed to burn down the church.
The police were able to quell the tension and evacuated the body of the deceased and deposited it in the morgue. The pastor and nine members of the church are now in police custody.
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeying confirmed the story in a tweet, saying, “Oro worshippers clashed with church members holding a vigil. It sadly resulted in the death of one person. It’s clearly a murder case. Suspects have been arrested. But henceforth, how do we ensure religious tolerance in similar cases?”