Pastor escapes as hoodlums invade church

According to Sun, there was pandemonium in Akure, Ondo State capital as a pastor escaped being lynched following the death of a two-year-old boy in the church premises. The timely intervention of mobile policemen saved him from being manhandled by an angry mob that wanted to avenge the boy’s death.
It was gathered that two-year- old Feranmi Oladeji last Sunday fell into the church’s soak-away and died instantly. According to an eye witness, trouble started at the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Ihinrere in Aiyedun Area of Akure metropolis, when hoodlums, numbering about 20 said to have been hired by the deceased’s father, Mr. Oyinbo Oladeji, invaded the church premises. Mr. Oladeji, who is a vulcanizer was not at the church service, though it was gathered that the deceased was christened there and recently celebrated his second birthday penultimate Sunday. It was gathered that while the service was on, the deceased, who was seen playing near the soak-away fell inside, even as his mates did not immediately inform his mother. When eventually the mother started looking for Feranmi, she was told by his playmates that he fell inside the soak-away, and when the body was pulled out he was already dead.

However, news of the ugly incident got to the father who reportedly stormed the church with hoodlums and disrupted the service, as they damaged the buildings and properties, including musical instruments, chairs and tables, among others. It was only the timely intervention of the police following a distress call that saved the pastor and other worshippers. Speaking on the incident, grandfather of the deceased, Mr Adebanji said Feranmi was his only grandchild, even as he demanded that the pastor pay for the casket. He also demanded a N30, 000 and live goat as reparation.