How clash between church members, traditional worshippers left one dead 

Yusuf Mohammed 

The clash that occurs between Oro traditional worshippers and members of Truth and Spirit Prophetic Ministry has left one person dead.

Our reporter gathered that during Oro festival at Gbirimi Community in New Oko-Oba, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria in the early hours of 22 August, 2022, the Oro traditional worshippers through Mr. Akeem Adebisi, a 25-year-old man, told prophetess Mercy Noka that the Church should close its door and switch off the outside light as they were about to start their activities and no one is expected to be outside during the exercise, but Mercy Noka ignored the warning.

When Mr. Akeem Adebisi attempted to go and remove the bulb, he was stoned with a coconut on his forehead and he fell down. All attempt by his members to revive him were futile as he died after being rejected by three hospitals. 

Speaking with our reporter on the incident, the Baale of Gbirimi Community, Chief Rasaq Alawode said at about 01:30am on the day of the incident when the traditionalists were about to start procession he warned them to conduct themselves in good manners and retired to his house to sleep and that shortly afterward one of them rushed to his house to inform him that Akeem has been stoned and was bleeding.

“Immediately I was told, I quickly ran out to see for myself and also to make sure that the situation did not get out of hand. I had to arrange for a car to take him to the hospital, and he was taken to three different hospitals, instead of admitting him to save his life, they refused on the grounds that there was no Police report and on the way to the Police Station to get the Police Report, he gave up,” Chief Rasak Alawode said. 

The Pastor in charge of the Church, Mercy Noka and nine other members of the Church have so far been arrested.

The Chairman of Gbirimi Community Development Association, Chief Y.O. Akande urged the authority concerned to ensure justice is served in the matter.

Items found in the Church include fresh catfish, kolanuts, bitter kolanuts, alligator pepper, palm oil, hot drink (Gin) and other fetish items.

The deceased has since been buried.

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