The police in Ogun state have launched an investigation after 54-year-old Yomi Adetula, a prophet with the Celestial Church of Christ’s Eagle parish was shot by unidentified gunmen who opened fire during an active church service and then escaped this morning January 19.

The police in Idiroko division received a report that at 10.30am that someone had been k!lled at the Celestial Church located along Old Baggage Road, Odo Eran, Idiroko. The officers moved swiftly to the scene where they discovered the deceased lying face up in a pool of blood that stained his white celestial garment. His body was seen to have been riddled with bullets, and his head severely damaged with an axe by the assailants to confirm that he was indeed de@d.

The church members told the police that three men entered the church, brandished a long double-barreled gun, aimed at their target, and fired a shot that caused chaos, and the assailant escaped.

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the General Hospital morgue in Ilaro while efforts are being made by the police to apprehend the assailants.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to launch a nationwide awareness campaign aimed at educating Nigerians on the dangers of scooping fuel from overturned tankers.

This follows the tragic tanker explosion that claimed over 80 lives and left many others injured at Dikko Junction, Gurara Local Government Area, on Saturday.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President cautioned citizens against approaching accident scenes involving fuel-laden vehicles, highlighting their highly explosive nature.

Mourning the victims, President Tinubu extended heartfelt condolences to their families, as well as to the government and people of Niger State.

He described the incident as tragic and preventable, noting that many of the casualties were individuals attempting to collect Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the overturned tanker.

“The President has directed the provision of comprehensive medical care for the injured and has instructed security and road safety agencies to implement stricter measures to prevent similar occurrences,” Onanuga stated.

President Tinubu tasked the National Orientation Agency to spearhead a nationwide public education campaign, emphasizing the grave risks and environmental hazards associated with scooping fuel from fallen tankers.

Atropical cyclone is forecast to form off the coast of Western Australia with residents warned to prepare for ‘destructive’ winds.

The Bureau of Meteorology has been tracking a tropical low off the coast of the Pilbara and believe it will develop into a tropical cyclone by 8am (AWST).

While the cyclone isn’t expected to make landfall, the Bureau warned it will cause ‘destructive wind gusts’ reaching up to 100km/h and storm tides.

‘By Sunday afternoon into Sunday night, (the system will be) developing into a tropical cyclone, a category one strength, and then continuing to intensify as we move through Sunday night into Monday,’ Dean Narramore said.

‘Thankfully it will continue to move further away from the coast of Western Australia.’

Several flood watch warnings have also been issued.

‘We can see widespread shower and thunderstorm activity through coastal areas,’ Mr Narramore said.

‘The very strong winds at this stage looking to stay offshore thankfully.

‘Still pretty windy conditions, severe thunderstorms, showers and thunderstorms for much of the Pilbara coast as we move through Sunday with widespread shower and thunderstorm activity.’

More to come. 

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