BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
Following the alleged attack on the Celestial Church located in Odu Village near Osogbo, capital of Osun State, where 12 worshippers were kidnapped by gunmen, the state Police Command has warned churches and mosques against holding vigils in bushy and isolated areas.
Some attackers were said to have stormed the church recently during a vigil and led 12 of the worshippers into the bush.
Luckily for the victims, they fled from their captors when they ran into some hunters and other local volunteers that responded to the distress call.
During the incident, a member of the church, whose identity was not revealed, was reportedly raped by the perpetrators.
Meanwhile, the Police in the state said three suspects were arrested over the incident.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, who advised religious bodies against having programmes late in the evening or early morning, especially in centres located in isolated or bushy places, said the three suspects arrested near the scene were still being interrogated.
“We want to warn people against doing vigil in the church or mosque, especially when you see that your church or mosque is very close to bushy or isolated areas.
“Bororo came and took 12 worshippers to the bush and assaulted some of the women. They were taken to police hospital for treatment. We were able to recover all the 12 abductees and we also arrested three suspects. They are herders and only one of them understands Yoruba,” the PPRO disclosed.
Opalola asked churches and mosques to always relocate to safer areas whenever they want to hold religious programmes at night.
“People should know that God can be called anywhere. When you see that the situation of the state or community is somehow, you can change your venues, you can even use any member’s house that you know is located in a safe area. You can pray there and God will answer you,” she admonished.
