Three suspected bandits have been arrested in connection with the attack on a Celestial Church in Odu Village near Osogbo, Osun State. The attack took place on Tuesday, July 25, during a vigil.

The suspects, who have been identified as Yusuf Baoku, Ajayi Ismail, and Mohammed Adamu, were arrested by the police following a tip-off and were paraded on Tuesday.

The Police in the state said after the attack, 12 worshippers were recorded to have been kidnapped by the suspects. However, they escaped when the group ran into hunters and local vigilantes.

It was further reported that a female member of the church was raped but had been taken to the hospital for treatment.

A musician talked about his ordeal in the hands of the intruders: “I arrived at the church a few minutes after 10pm on Monday to prepare for the vigil. We commenced the vigil around midnight. After my ministration, my drummers were still in the church, but I stepped out.

“A few minutes later, from where I stood with the pastor, we started hearing gunshots. The church is located in a bushy environment, so, we all ran into the bush. At a point, seven of us met in the bush. We were six women and a man. As we were wandering in the bush, two armed men suddenly appeared in front of us and we all ran in different directions,” he said.

Yemisi Opalola the state Police Public Relations Officer, at the parade asked religious bodies not to organise programmes late in the evening or early mornings or even at isolated areas because of security concerns.

The three arrested suspects according to the Police spokesperson are still being interrogated and after investigations, they will be charged to court.