Gunmen stormed a church, God’s Doing Healing and Deliverance Ministry, in Orodo, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State on Saturday, resulting in the death of Samuel Ogbonna, a youth leader.
Samuel Ogbonna, who was the owner of Feel at Home, a restaurant/bar in the vicinity, and a trusted associate of the church’s general overseer, Evang. Maduabuchi Ernest, also known as “Dibia Ekpere or Father MEMC”, met his demise during the attack.
A confidential source mentioned that the group of gunmen, totaling around eight individuals, came to the church in two vehicles, a red Highlander and a black Lexus Salon car, around 4 pm while a church programme was in progress.
It was reported that the gunmen requested to meet the head of the church but were informed that he hadn’t shown up yet, which infuriated them.
Subsequently, they instructed the congregation to lie face down on the floor.
He said, “I have never seen anything like this before. The gunmen upon arrival at the church and couldn’t see the Pastor, ordered us all to lie face down on the floor during which they collected all our personal belongings like phones, bags, and cash before they zoomed off.
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“While driving out of the church compound, we heard several gunshots followed by a loud shout, which we later learnt was from one of us, Elder Ogbonna.
He was on his way back to the church to rejoin us during the ongoing programme after stepping out to handle some tasks. However, upon encountering the gunmen, he fled into a nearby bush.
They chased after him and shot him multiple times there. Later, after driving a short distance, they let go of the two individuals they had abducted earlier.
“Just before driving out, they abducted two members, a man, and a nursing mother, though they later released them along the Owerri-Orlu expressway. They also made away with the church owner’s car”, the source said.
According to him, the incident had caused fear in the area, with many worried about their safety.
Some residents had even left Orodo to ensure their well-being, and the church had been secured by locking it up.
