Gunmen broke into the Christians Pentecostal Church in Akenawe, Tswarev in Ukemberagya/Tswarev of Logo local government area of Benue State, murdering one worshipper and capturing the pastor and four other people as Christians around the globe observed Palm Sunday.
Our reporter learned from residents in the neighbourhood that the gunmen started the fire on the innocent attendees on Sunday around 11 a.m. while a healing service was taking place.
A community leader and president of the Gaambe-Tiev Youths Association (GYA), Dr Hemen Terkimbi, confirmed the incident to our correspondent over the phone and revealed that at least one person was killed in the attack, five others were hurt to varying degrees, and four other worshippers, including the local pastor, Rev. Pst. Gwadue Kwaghtyo, were detained and taken to an unidentified location.
“Those who sustained severe injuries, including the Kindred Head of Akemkpa, Zaki Tyokase Ingyutu, who was wounded in the head and others, are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals in Ugba and Anyiim areas of Logo local government,” he claimed.
The assault was characterised as inhumane by Dr Terkimbi, which needs to be strongly denounced.
He questioned, “Why would worshippers worshipping God on such a Holy Day be attacked by heartless people while they are defenceless and innocent?”
He urged security officials to search every crevice of the impacted regions to make sure that the assailants were captured and brought before the law.
However, when reached, Catherine Anene, the public relations officer for the Benue State Police, stated that she had not yet received the event report.
