Gunmen suspected to be hired assassins on Sunday killed and dismembered the Shepherd-in-charge of a Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) in Idiroko, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State, during a church service.
The victim, identified as Pastor Yomi Adetula, was attacked around 11 a.m. while preaching at the Hebrew Celestial Church located in the Odo Eran area of Idiroko.
Eyewitnesses said the assailants, numbering about six and dressed in white garments resembling CCC uniforms, stormed the church armed with AK-47 rifles.
“They entered the church during the service, shot him multiple times, and ensured he was dead before dismembering his body right there in the church,” an eyewitness recounted.
Adetula was the Idiroko Unit Commander of the Ogun State Community, Social Orientation, and Safety Corps (So-SAFE Corps), a government-funded community security outfit.
While the motive for the murder remains unclear, sources revealed that the pastor had ongoing disputes with a smuggling cartel in the Idiroko border area.
These tensions reportedly led to his transfer to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the temporary closure of his church in December 2024.
Confirming the incident, Soji Ganzalo, State Commander of So-SAFE Corps, expressed shock and vowed to ensure justice.
“We received the news with deep sadness. The So-SAFE Corps will support relevant security agencies in investigating this matter and apprehending the culprits,” Ganzalo said.
Police authorities are yet to release an official statement, but investigations are ongoing.
