Explosion rocks Wike father’s church in Rivers

Massive explosion has been recorded at a Pentecostal church, Christain Universal Church International, located at Mile 3, in the Diobu area of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The church is said to be owned by the father of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

It was learnt that scores of hoodlums had attacked the church around 8pm on Saturday.

The police in Rivers State have reportedly arrested three suspects in connection with the incident.

It was also gathered that the gunmen’s escape plan was blocked after men of a local security outfit in the area noticed strange movements and swooped in.

The Assistant Chief Security Officer of the Azikiwe Street Security, Collins Johnbull, while narrating the incident, said one of his men was hit by a bullet in the process of chasing the suspects and currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

Johnbull said, “On Saturday, 28th day of November, 2020, while I was on my duty post, we observed some movements around 8pm to 9pm and we were on the alert, before then we saw some strange faces, about five of them, that entered into the governor’s father’s church and we thought they were church members having their normal evening programme, but we were suspicious of them because of the way they were moving.

“About five minutes after the boys had entered the church, there was an explosion; we heard a banging noise like that of a bomb from the church. We immediately approached the church and saw them (the suspects) jumping out of the church wearing masks and carrying guns and started shooting at my men.

“By God’s grace, we were able to apprehend three of the criminals that attacked the church, while two escaped. We did everything in our power to apprehend the hoodlums, as we are talking now, one of my men who was hit by a bullet is receiving treatment.”