Tragedy as armed men suspected to be robbers on Wednesday morning stormed an Assemblies of God church in Abakaliki, the capital city of Ebonyi state.
WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the attack which led to the raping of one of the ladies and shooting of another on her laps happened between 1.00 am and 2.00 am in the said church.
It was further learnt that the youths belonging to the drama wing of the church were having an all-night rehearsal in preparation for a drama programme slated for Friday when they were attacked by hoodlums.
A source who prefers anonymity told newsmen that while they raped one of the girls, they shot another, who resisted attempts to have carnal knowledge of her, on the laps.
Reports also revealed that the armed men suspected to be members stole some equipment belonging to the church.
Other youths in the same programme were said to have run away during the incident.
One of the elders of the church who spoke with The Nation due to the non-availability of the pastor-in-charge confirmed the incident.
“Yes what you heard is true, we were called this morning to be notified on the incident, however, we will not be able to give you all the details you require now”, an elder of the church who pleaded anonymity said.
“Our pastor who is in charge of this place is not available now, he stayed awake all through the night that this thing happened and he is down now.
“However the matter has been reported to the police and the girls have been taken to hospital for treatment,” he said.
Reacting on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Loveth Odah said she was yet to be briefed about the incident at the time of filling the report.
