How gunmen killed Celestial prophet

Late Yomi Adetula

...inside church auditorium during service

Gunmen, suspected to be hired assassins killed the Shepherd-in-charge of a Celestial Church of Christ, in Idiroko, Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The deceased, identified as Yomi Adetula was killed inside the church auditorium during service around 11.a.m.

It was gathered that Adetula's assailants, six in number who were armed with AK-47 gun each, wore the Celestial Church's garment, stormed the church, the 'Hebrew Celestial Church' located at the Odo Eran area of the Old Baggage Road in Idiroko, and rained bullets on the deceased in the full glare of worshippers.

They were said to have waited to certify him dead and dismember him (to cut or tear the dead body into pieces inside the church auditorium before leaving the scene.

According a source, the deceased was the Idiroko Unit Commander of the Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, popularly known as So-Safe Corps; one of the community security outfits established and funded by the Ogun State government.

It was gathered that the late Adetula had been having running battles with certain smuggling cartel in Idiroko border town for the past few months.

The source stated further that the issue necessitated his movement to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in December 2024.

A source in the church also claimed the problem forced the church to be closed in December 2024.

The State Commander of the So-Safe Corps, Soji Ganzalo, who confirmed the incident, said he received the news of Adetula's assassination with a rude shock and still could not believe it.

Ganzalo however, said So-Safe Corp would not relent in ensuring that the matter was properly investigated, promising to assist the appropriate security agencies with necessary information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.

Also confirming the incident, spokesperson for the Ogun State Police command, Omolola Odutola said in a statement “A prophet of Celestial Church of Christ, Eagle Parish was shot by unknown assailants who opened fire on him during church service and the suspects fled.

“On the 19/01/25 at about 10 30am the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Idiroko received  a message that someone has been killed at Celestial Church along old Baggage Road, Odo Eran, Idiroko.

“Police officers raced to the scene and saw one Yomi Adetula (54) lifeless in the pool of his blood which stained his white Celestial Garment lying face up.

“On careful observation, his body was riddled with bullets and his head was not speared, to ensure the victim was really dead, it was mangled (badly damaged, especially as a result of being twisted) to death.

“On police inquiry, information further revealed that three men came into the church brought out long double barrel gun aimed at their target and fire a shot that brought the deceased down.”

The statement added that the remains of Adetula had been recovered and deposited at the morgue of General Hospital, Ilaro.

Culled from Vanguard