A man, identified simply as Prophet Wale, has killed himself
in a Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Ona Iwa Mimo, on Otunba Bamidele Street, in
the Ikotun area of Lagos State.
in a Cherubim and Seraphim Church, Ona Iwa Mimo, on Otunba Bamidele Street, in
the Ikotun area of Lagos State.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the victim
had approached the owner of the church, a prophetess, to be part of her
ministry. He reportedly claimed to be a prophet and said he would love to
assist her.The prophetess they say rejected the offer, and the victim became angry. He
grabbed a bottle, broke it
and stabbed himself in the neck.
had approached the owner of the church, a prophetess, to be part of her
ministry. He reportedly claimed to be a prophet and said he would love to
assist her.The prophetess they say rejected the offer, and the victim became angry. He
grabbed a bottle, broke it
and stabbed himself in the neck.
The matter was reported at the Ikotun Police Division on Wednesday.
When Punch visited the community on Thursday, he observed that many of the
residents were reluctant to discuss the incident.
At the church, a man, who identified himself as Noah, declined comment. He said
no relatives of the suspect were available for comment.
“The prophetess family members are not available for now. My
phone is also dead; so I cannot even give you my contact,” he said.
phone is also dead; so I cannot even give you my contact,” he said.
When they approached the community
leader, Otunba Bamidele, he said he was not aware of the incident.
leader, Otunba Bamidele, he said he was not aware of the incident.
“I travelled and just came back this morning; please I have
nothing to say and I am not aware,” he said.
nothing to say and I am not aware,” he said.
However, some of the residents, who
spoke with PUNCH Metro on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident.They said the victim’s death caused commotion on the street, adding that
policemen from Igando, Ikotun and Idimu divisions trooped to the street in
three vans.
spoke with PUNCH Metro on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident.They said the victim’s death caused commotion on the street, adding that
policemen from Igando, Ikotun and Idimu divisions trooped to the street in
three vans.
A witness said:
“It was around 5pm. I was passing by and I saw a crowd
of people on the church premises. Policemen and three police vans from Ikotun,
Idimu and Igando police divisions were there.
“The police took the corpse and arrested the owner of the church. I cannot tell
what led to the death because I don’t live with them. I don’t know the man. He
is a stranger in this community.”
of people on the church premises. Policemen and three police vans from Ikotun,
Idimu and Igando police divisions were there.
“The police took the corpse and arrested the owner of the church. I cannot tell
what led to the death because I don’t live with them. I don’t know the man. He
is a stranger in this community.”
Another resident said the victim was
likely to be one of those sleeping in the church.
likely to be one of those sleeping in the church.
“Many people sleep in that church and something could have
led to his death. It could have been frustration and it might be something
different,” he said.
led to his death. It could have been frustration and it might be something
different,” he said.
A police source, however, revealed
that the victim was from Apapa area of the state.The source said the prophetess claimed not to have known the victim from
anywhere until on the morning he entered the church and offered to join her
ministry.
that the victim was from Apapa area of the state.The source said the prophetess claimed not to have known the victim from
anywhere until on the morning he entered the church and offered to join her
ministry.
He said:
“The owner of the church is claiming that she has
never met the man before.
“She said the man just came to her and said he was a pastor from Bayelsa State
and he was living in Apapa, but would like to be part of her ministry.
“She claimed that when she asked for his address, and relatives, he did not
answer her.
“When the woman refused to allow him, he brought out a bottle, broke it and
stabbed himself to death.”
never met the man before.
“She said the man just came to her and said he was a pastor from Bayelsa State
and he was living in Apapa, but would like to be part of her ministry.
“She claimed that when she asked for his address, and relatives, he did not
answer her.
“When the woman refused to allow him, he brought out a bottle, broke it and
stabbed himself to death.”
The source said the victim allegedly
stabbed himself in the neck and bled to death.
stabbed himself in the neck and bled to death.
“He had a deep gash in his neck. But the woman’s testimony
is still under investigation and she is currently in detention,” he added.
is still under investigation and she is currently in detention,” he added.
The Police Public Relations Officer,
Joe Offor, confirmed the incident, adding that the deceased was a pastor of the
C&S Movement.He said:
Joe Offor, confirmed the incident, adding that the deceased was a pastor of the
C&S Movement.He said:
“The man’s name is Wale and he’s a prophet in the
Cherubim and Seraphim Church. The incident happened on Wednesday, 23 September,
2015. Nobody knows what made him kill himself, but all those present when he
committed the act have been arrested and they are helping the police with
investigations. He did it in the presence of the General Overseer of the
church.”
Cherubim and Seraphim Church. The incident happened on Wednesday, 23 September,
2015. Nobody knows what made him kill himself, but all those present when he
committed the act have been arrested and they are helping the police with
investigations. He did it in the presence of the General Overseer of the
church.”