Gunmen have invaded a branch of one
of the new generation churches in Boji-Boji Owa, Ika North East Local
Government Area of Delta State and whisked away a private security guard
attached to the church.
The gunmen no fewer than four were
said to have stormed the church after the day’s service with the intention to
seize the offering of the day. Their efforts to get hold on the offering were
futile as they were said to have ransacked every nook and cranny of the church.
Apparently infuriated by the futile
search, the gunmen approached the security guard whom they had earlier bounded
at the church’s gatehouse and hauled him into their vehicle before zooming off
to unknown destination. The incident overwhelmed the congregation who were
anxiously looking for clue as to the whereabouts of the abducted security man.
Investigation revealed that the latest invasion was not the first in the same
church, as it had earlier been attacked three years ago.
In the previous attack, Daily Sun
learnt, the gun wielding men succeeded in seizing the offering and made away it
unchallenged. Drawing experience from that attack, leaders of the church were
said to have devised other measures of safeguarding the church’s offering to
put paid to the evil machinations of the men of the underworld.
A source in the church decried the
constant invasion of ‘God’s temple’ by hoodlums, describing it as ‘an
abominable act’, which would attract severe wrath from the God. “What are they
looking for in a church, we don’t have money. People are so daring these days
to the extent of desecrating the house of God.”
The source appealed to the gunmen to
“please, for the sake of God, free the security man,” and called on the
suspects to repent, saying there was “no gain in crime. They should embrace God
to have peace.” Public Relations Officer of the Delta State Police Command, ASP
Famous Ajieh confirmed the invasion by gunmen and added that efforts were in
top gear to arrest the fleeing bandits and free the security guard.
In May last year, yet-to-be
identified gunmen also invaded a Catholic Church in Ilah, Oshimili North Local
Government Area of the state where they reportedly removed sacred items
including monstrance, missal and chasuble, among others. The affected church
was locked up for several weeks following the desecration and was re-opened for
spiritual activities after it was re-dedicated by the bishop in the area.
Source: The
Sun
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