Suspected assassins storm church, shoot pastor, kill wife in Edo

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

The Pastor of God’s Vineyard of Grace Dominion Assembly, in Edo State, Rev Samuel Chinyereugo, was attacked by suspected assassins in his church.

During the attack, his wife, Peace was killed during a rehearsal ahead of a church programme.

It was gathered that the gunmen invaded the church, located at 101, Upper Lawani Street, New Benin, Benin City around 7:36 pm on Monday, August 14, 2023, and opened fire on the pastor.

The assistant pastor was also said to have also sustained injuries on his head during the attack

A source who claimed anonymity stated that the gunmen trailed the pastor who drove in the company of his wife to the church, where they rained bullets on them as soon as they parked their car in front of the church.

“Some members of the church, including the assistant pastor, were outside the church having a rehearsal ahead of a programme scheduled to commence that day when the pastor and his wife stopped by,” the source said.

The cleric said that he had earlier noticed a car trailing him inside GRA, where he had visited a friend and he was shocked to see the same vehicle suddenly stop behind him in front of his church.

“One of the three armed men who alighted from the car approached the pastor, snatched the cross pendant on his necklace and the two other assailants opened fire from the rear

“The pastor’s wife was hit by bullets and she died at a hospital a few hours after, while her husband and his deputy were treated and discharged.”

The incident was affirmed by the Spokesperson of the police in the state, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, who said that the command has begun a full-scale investigation to apprehend those behind the act and bring them to justice.