Tragedy struck in the Odo Eran Idiroko area of Ogun State on Sunday as gunmen stormed a church during service, shooting and killing a 54-year-old prophet, Yomi Adetula, of the Celestial Church of Christ’s Eagle Parish.
The attack occurred at about 10:30 AM, disrupting the service and leaving worshippers in shock. The gunmen, three in number, reportedly entered the church along Old Baggage Road, brandishing a long double-barreled gun.
They targeted the cleric, firing a fatal shot that caused panic among congregants before escaping toward the border area.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, in Abeokuta, the state capital.
“On January 19, 2025, around 10:30 AM, the divisional police officer of Idiroko received a report that someone had been killed at a Celestial Church located along Old Baggage Road, Odo Eran, Idiroko,” Odutola said.
She revealed that officers arrived at the scene to find the lifeless body of Prophet Adetula lying face up in a pool of blood that had soaked his white Celestial garment.
“Upon closer inspection, his body was riddled with bullets, and his head was severely damaged with an axe, confirming his death,” she added.
According to Odutola, initial investigations revealed that the assailants caused chaos during the attack before fleeing.
No arrests have been made yet, but the police assured the public that efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The body of the deceased prophet has been deposited at the General Hospital morgue in Ilaro for further investigation and autopsy.
Residents and church members have been urged to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement agencies as they work to bring the perpetrators to justice.
