community in Ayetoro area of Yewa North local government, Ogun State
while destroying the traditional worshipers’ items.
According to Sunday Vanguard, the pastor, whose church could not be
ascertained as of the time of this report, became unconscious in the
shrine.
Fagbere was reported to have earlier told his congregation that he had
been directed by God to destroy all the shrines in Ketu community. An
attempt to destroy the shrine boomeranged as he got
stuck in the place, prompting residents to raise the alarm.
Further findings showed that the priests in charge of the shrine
insisted that until they performed some ritual on him, he could not be
let off the hook.
The intervention of the Alaye of Ayetoro, Oba Abdulaziz Adelakun,
however saved the cleric as he was treated by the priests before he
regained consciousness.
Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, who
confirmed the incident, said the man might be charged for sacrilege
and malicious damage. He said:
“The police got the report in Ayetoro that one Evangelist Wale
Fagbere went to Ketu to destroy a shrine. After the destruction, the
man became unconscious.
When policemen visited the place, the traditionalists claimed that the
subject could not be taken away until some spiritual exercise had been
performed.
The Alaye of Ayetoro, Oba AbdulAzeez Adelakun, waded into the matter
which led to the release of the man. The victim has been revived and has
been handed over to his family for more spiritual cleansing”.
When asked who the police would charge, the traditionalists or the
victim, the PPRO said the latter would be charged for sacrilege and
malicious damage after he gets well. He said the police next step would
be determined by the traditionalists lodging of a complaint against the
pastor.
“Everybody has right to worship anything he so desires”, Oyeyemi said.