Fresh Crisis Rocks Celestial Church

A pastor, Adewunmi Awotidoye, has been hospitalised after being attacked by armed thugs, who invaded a Celestial Church of Christ parish in the Jakande area of Lagos State.

According to the Press Nigeria, the thugs, who were armed with guns and machetes, stormed the church on motorcycles during a service.

They were said to have beaten up the cleric, including cutting him with a machete.

The incident, which happened on Tuesday, January 25, created confusion among congregants as some fled the church premises.

An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said one of the hoodlums attempted to shoot Awotidoye.

She said, “He was in church coordinating a weekly programme when the hoodlums came. They were six in number; two stayed outside of the gate and two came inside. Immediately they entered the church, they asked if he was Prophet Awotidoye and he said yes. The next thing, they grabbed him and started beating him. One wanted to use his gun on him, but one of them stopped him.

It was learnt that there was a leadership tussle in the church.

After a former leader of the church ended his tenure, another pastor, Elijah Ogunbemi, was appointed.

However, after spending one year, Ogunbemi was reportedly suspended over alleged gross misconduct.

Awotidoye was subsequently appointed in acting capacity.

A source in the church alleged that Ogunbemi was behind the attack on the pastor.

She said, “Ogunbemi was transferred to our church in 2021. After church elders suspended him, he insisted on completing his two-year term.”

Another member of the church, who gave her name as Sarah, alleged that the suspended leader had been creating problems for the new pastor.