It was a tragic Monday evening in Okene, Kogi State when gunmen invaded the Deeper Life Church at Otite area in, killing 16 worshippers and leaving many others wounded.
The assailants were reported to have arrived at the church at about 8:45 p.m., during a late evening church service, cut off electricity supply and began shooting indiscriminately into the crowd.
According to the Commander of the Joint Military Task Force in Lokoja, Lt-Col. Gabriel Olorunyomi, who confirmed the incident, 15 of the worshippers died instantly in the attack while another died on the way to the hospital. The continued that many injured persons were rushed to hospitals in Lokoja, a distance of 40 minutes driving on the road from Okene. He however said the casualty figure might rise, considering that some sustained heavy injuries.
Special Assistant to the Kogi State governor on Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi, also confirmed the incident, saying that some of the worshippers who tried to escape from the premises were captured and their throats slashed. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack as yet.
