No fewer than three worshippers at the Synagogue Church of all Nations, Ikotun, Lagos State, have been confirmed dead after a stampede on the church’s premises on Saturday.
PUNCH Metro reports that the victims were part of a crowd that struggled to see the church’s General Overseer, Prophet Temitope Joshua, during a special healing service.
Two of the victims were identified as Emeka Okonkwo and Emmanuel Oherin, the third victim had yet to be identified. Their corpses were said to have been deposited in a morgue in the state.
An eyewitness, who did not want to be identified, said the stampede occurred around 4.30am. “It was the church’s annual deliverance and healing programme. Usually at this time, the church becomes a beehive of activities as people come in their thousands to see the prophet for miracles.
“People lodge in different hotels surrounding the church. And they all arrive at the church very early. “There is a canopy on the premises where worshippers are screened before they see the man of God.
“However, on Saturday, after being screened, the crowd was much and they started struggling through the doorway to see the prophet. In the process, three people collapsed. They were rushed to the Isolo General Hospital, where they were confirmed dead.”
A police source said the corpses were taken in an ambulance, adding that the Ikotun Divisional Crime Officer and the Area Commander, Area M, accompanied them to the mortuary.
So sad; may their souls
rest in peace.