An appointee of Kogi State government, Alhaji Shaibu Oricha has unleashed terror on worshipers of Mount of Olive Assembly International, a church located beside Aniebo Quarters in Lokoja.
Trouble started few days ago when thugs and security agents reportedly stormed the church premises destroying the church building that was under construction.
A member of the church who tried to record the act with his mobile phone was beaten to come and rushed to a clinic in town by the assailants.
While the destruction of the church building was going on, the presiding clergy, Pastor Fred David was being detained at the National Security and Civil Defence Corps command office in Lokoja. He was detained for two days allegedly on the orders of Oricha.
According to reports by popular social critic, Comrade Martins Akor, Pastor Fred has been receiving threats messages in recent times not knowing the DG Government house was behind the whole threats and intimidation telling him to relocate from that premises, until last Saturday.
The church building shares same fence with Oricha’s private residence inside Aniebo Quarters located along Ganaja road.
Oricha has reportedly complained that the church disturbs him with her services.
The church have been worshiping on premises before the Oricha built his house on the plot beside the church.
However, a source close to Oricha alleged that the government official decided to take laws into his hands after his repeated calls on Town Planning authorities to check the church’s building failed to yield expected response.
The source added that Oricha’s house was attacked by men of the underworld last week and they discovered the came into his compound through a ladder inside the church premises.
According to the source who craved anonymity, Oricha was sleeping in the guest room when the assailants came into his house but did not see him till they left.
He noted that days after the incident, the pastor never thought it wise to visit or call Oricha to sympathise with the neighbour that was attacked.
Oricha did not take the threat to his life lightly and so involved the security agents.
