The crisis in the Assemblies of God Church took a
dangerous twist on Sunday morning as troops took over an Effurun, Delta State
branch of the church.
Worshippers told our reporter
that Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) stormed the Glory House Parish of the
church on Oti Street, off Aka Avenue, Effurun, and ordered worshippers to
close.
“We were preparing for service
when they (soldiers) came. They were menacing and prevented us from continuing
the service. We had no option but to close,” a source said.
Commanding Officer, 13
Battalion Lt Colonel Patrick Igwe said he was not aware of the incident.
Sunday’s incident came on the
heels of a similar invasion of the church by thugs.
A senior pastor of the church, Rev Fred Iyorhiobhe,
confirmed the report.
He said it was a continuation
of the act of terrorism with the aid of military and police by a factional
leader of the church.
He said: “Last week, some
youths came with two pastors to attack the church. They destroyed the
signboard.
“We went to A Division Police
Station to get protection. Today, we called the commander, who told us that he
was not aware and did not give any such order.”
However, it was gathered that
for the wisdom of some policemen who were called in, there would have been a
bloody confrontation.
Rev Iyorhiobhe, who is backing
the Bishop Emeka faction, appealed to security operatives to protect
law-abiding worshippers and to avoid taking sides in the conflict.
He lamented the action of the
opposing pastors, stressing: “I wonder why they are doing this when the matter
is in court.”
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