Pandemonium as robbers invade Ebonyi church, rape teenager, shoot another

Armed robber in the early hours of Wednesday invaded one of the Assemblies of God churches in Abakaliki, raped a girl and shot another another girl on the laps.

Youths belonging to the drama wing of the church were said to be having all night rehearsal in preparation for a drama programme proposed to hold on Friday September 25, 2020, when they were attacked by hoodlums.

The attack was said to have occurred between 1.00am and 2.00am in the morning.

While they raped a girl whose identity was yet to be disclosed, they shot another girl on the laps.

The robbers were also said to have stolen some equipment belonging to the church.

Other youths of the church in the same programme were said to have deserted the church for safety at the time of the event.

When our correspondent visited the church, the pastor in charge was not available, but some elders of the church who spoke in confidence confirmed the incident, but pleaded for time to gather all the necessary information.

One them particularly said, “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.

“Our pastor who is incharge of this place is not available now, he stayed awake all through the night that this thing happened.

“You can come back in two days time so that we will be properly briefed, and we along with our pastor will give you the accurate information.

“However the matter has been reported to the police and the girls have been taken to hospital for treatment.”

Further findings revealed that many youths especially boys were affected in the incident but are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

The state police spokesperson, DSP Loveth Odah, could not be reached, as her phone number was not available as at the time of this report. (Agency report)