Suspected cultists have shot a cleric with the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Oluwole Akinkunmi, at Sari-Iganmu area of Lagos State.
Doctors are battling to save Akinkunmi’s life at the hospital where he was rushed to.
Doctors are battling to save Akinkunmi’s life at the hospital where he was rushed to.
The incident, which occurred on January 9, about 7a.m., at Number 24, Mosadolorun Street at Sari-Iganmu, took every resident of the area by surprise.
It was learnt that two days before the attack, there was a cult clash between two factional groups of the cultists known as Moshalashi boys and Oke-Oja boys at Orile-Iganmu.
The pastor, who spoke on his sick bed, said the cultists shot him in the buttock for yet-to-be known reasons.
According to him, they were also chanting “we will kill you”.
He said: “I was just coming out of my house, when the cultists shot me in my buttock. Immediately, I started shouting for help and also pleading with the cultists to spare me. I guess it was my shout for help that attracted my neighbours who came to my rescue.
“On the fateful day, I just come out of my apartment to use the toilet which is outside the house I reside. After using the toilet, I was walking back into the house when a gunshot hit my buttocks. Immediately I lost control of myself and fell down and I was shouting for help.
“While on the ground, writhing in pain from the gunshot, some cultists rushed towards me and started attacking me with machetes, saying ‘you will die’. I pleaded for mercy but they did not leave me until neighbours rushed out and they fled.
“While I was being rushed to the hospital, I fainted but later woke up at the hospital two days after. Thirty-two pellets from the gun were removed from my buttocks. I am just lucky to be alive. But I am still scared because those who are after my life are still out there walking freely.”
“On the fateful day, I just come out of my apartment to use the toilet which is outside the house I reside. After using the toilet, I was walking back into the house when a gunshot hit my buttocks. Immediately I lost control of myself and fell down and I was shouting for help.
“While on the ground, writhing in pain from the gunshot, some cultists rushed towards me and started attacking me with machetes, saying ‘you will die’. I pleaded for mercy but they did not leave me until neighbours rushed out and they fled.
“While I was being rushed to the hospital, I fainted but later woke up at the hospital two days after. Thirty-two pellets from the gun were removed from my buttocks. I am just lucky to be alive. But I am still scared because those who are after my life are still out there walking freely.”
Asked if he could identify those who attacked him or had a clue why they were after his life, he said, “I am not a cultist and will never be; I don’t go about looking for trouble. I am hardly at home; I am always in the church. I just wonder why they are after my life. I am a peace-loving person.”
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Chike Oti, promised to get back to our correspondent.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Chike Oti, promised to get back to our correspondent.
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