Angry youths set Redeemed church ablaze over murder of UNIBEN student

BY AKEEM OGUNTAYO, Benin City

A branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Miracle Sanctuary Mega Parish, Edo Province 10, Ikpoba Hill area of Benin City was set ablaze Sunday morning over reports that a University of Benin student was murdered inside the worship centre, THE WITNESS reports.

It was gathered that the church was burnt down when residents learnt that a 100-level microbiology student of the university was raped and killed by unknown gunmen in the church.

The girl, Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, in her early twenties, before her death,  was fond of reading daily and alone, inside the church hall.

THE WITNESS learnt that the men forced their way into the church, where they raped and struck Uwaila in the head with a fire extinguisher on the night of Wednesday, May 27, 2020.

Our correspondent learnt that the church security guard, who had just resumed duty, wanted to collect the key to the church when he discovered that someone was already inside.

The guard, who found Uwaila in a pool of blood, reportedly called for help and the victim was rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. THE WITNESS gathered that the victim did not recover from her state of unconsciousness until she died on Saturday.

“The church security officer had gone to collect the keys to the church from its keeper when he was told that there was someone in the church already.

“He got to the church only to find two girl in critical condition and in a pool of blood with the blood stained fire extinguisher near her.

“He ran back to inform the key keeper and his wife, who went to the church to meet her lifeless. After careful observation, it was noticed that she moved her hand and she was rushed her to the hospital.

“It was at that point that she revealed she was reading alone that night when the unknown men came into the church, beat her, raped and hit her head with a fire extinguisher. They left giving her up for dead”.

Meanwhile, the RCCG in a statement released on Sunday evening described the incident as “ugly”. The church also noted that consultation is ongoing with authorities for proper investigation of the matter.

“The attention of the leadership of the Redeemed Christian Church of God has been drawn to the condemnable incident that occurred in Benin and linked to one of the Parishes where a member was gruesomely murdered,” the statement read.

“Preliminary information reaching us confirms the death of Miss Vera Uwaila Omozuwa, a 100-level student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN). The 22 year old member who died as a result of complications from the ugly incident.

“As a church we are deeply touched and condemn in absolute terms this evil visited on an innocent girl as we have equally condemn any act of violence and abuse against women.

“We are consulting with the appropriate authorities to ensure that an extensive investigation is carried out in line with the position already expressed by the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki and the culprit(s) face the full weight of the law and justice is done regardless of who is involved.”