Hoodlums invade Lagos Church, Assault Pastor

After being attacked by armed thugs who raided a Celestial Church of Christ in the Jakande region of Lagos State, the pastor, Adewunmi Awotidoye, has been hospitalized. PUNCH The gangsters, who were equipped with firearms and machetes, assaulted the church on motorcycles during service, according to Metro.

They allegedly thrashed the cleric, including cutting him with a machete. Congregants were confused by the occurrence, which occurred on Tuesday, January 25, and several fled the church grounds. One of the hoodlums attempted to shoot Awotidoye, according to an eyewitness who requested anonymity.

When the hoodlums came, he was in church planning a weekly program; she explained. There were six in total, two of whom remained outside the gate and two of whom entered. They asked if he was Prophet Awotidoye as soon as they entered the chapel, and he responded, “Yes.” They then seized him and began kicking and punching him. One of them wanted to use his gun on him, but the other intervened. As soon as he saw the prophet take to his heels, he ordered a machete. He was pursued by the hoodlums, who caught up with him after he fell. They cut him with the machete. A 70-year-old church elder pleaded with them to leave him alone. They advised the man to stay away. Because they were armed, no one could come close. Prophet Awotidoye and a lady who attempted it were both hacked. She’s still being treated in a hospital.

According to our source, the church is experiencing a leadership crisis. Following the resignation of a previous church leader, Elijah Ogunbemi was appointed as the new pastor. However, Ogunbemi was reportedly suspended after a year for alleged egregious misbehaviour. Following that, Awotidoye was appointed in an acting capacity. According to a church source, Ogunbemi was the one who attacked the pastor.

“Ogunbemi was transferred to our church in 2021,” she explained. He insisted on finishing his two-year tenure after being suspended by church leaders. According to a church source, Ogunyemi was the one who assaulted the pastor. Another churchgoer, who only wanted to be named Sarah, claimed the suspended leader was generating issues for the new pastor.