Gunmen suspected to be members of a cult , on Sunday, invaded a Pentecostal church in Inen Ikot Esse community , OrukAnam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State , and shot one of the elders .
The hoodlums , who were armed to the teeth , got to the church premises around 7 . 05 am and made their way to the vestry , where some church council officials gathered for prayer before the commencement of service .
It was gathered that they shot one Friday Ufenang , an elder of the church , left him in a pool of his own blood before engaging in a shooting spree , causing the worshippers to run in different directions .
It was learnt that Ufenang was rushed to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital by policemen officers to the scene , and he is currently on life support .
Speaking with newsmen in Uyo on Tuesday, an eyewitness, Sunday Ibanga , said it was unfortunate that the incident occurred as the new pastor posted to the church was resuming.
“ It is unfortunate that this incident is happening when a new pastor is resuming that Sunday” Ibanga said
The wife of the church elders , Mrs Iniobong , who spoke with our correspondent on the phone , said her husband left for church that early to attend to his duties and left her and the children at home to join him later for the Sunday service .
She said she was about leaving the house to join her husband when she heard people screaming and rushing to report the incident to her .
Iniobong stated , “ When I heard that my husband had been shot , I summoned the courage and rushed to the church to carry his corpse for burial . But I met policemen helping me to carry him to hospital for treatment .
“ My husband is on oxygen at the emergency ward ; we need money to pay for various tests before surgery can be performed to remove the bullets in his head. ”
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon , who confirmed the incident , described it as unfortunate , but gave an assurance that the command would do everything possible to arrest the perpetrators of the crime .
He said the state Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme, had despatched personnel to the scene to restore normalcy in the area
Macdon stated , “ I can confirm the incident in Inen Ikot Esse , OrukAnam Local Government Area. It is unfortunate that such an incident happened on the church premises. When it happened , it was the police who rushed the victim to hospital for treatment .
“ The Commissioner of Police, Andrew Amiengheme, has condemned the dastardly act and has drafted police officers to the area to restore normalcy . ”