David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
The Presiding Bishop and General Superintendent of Grace of God Mission International, Bishop Paul Nwachukwu, has denied rumours of attacks on his church by terrorists.
There were rumours last Sunday that four men suspected to be Fulani terrorists had invaded a branch of the church in Onitsha, Anambra State, with plans to attack worshippers, but they were however detected.
One of the men was alleged to have been apprehended and burnt alive, while three others fled.
But the state police command, while reacting to the story, said the men were not Fulani terrorists, but petty thieves who attacked a victim in the neighbourhood, but one was apprehended and burnt alive.
The Presiding Bishop of the church in a statement he signed, which was made available to THISDAY, said rumours of the attack were untrue.
The cleric described the news as fake, false and malicious, insisting that at no time was his church invaded by any unknown persons last Sunday.
Part of Nwachukwu’s statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to a Facebook post by one Chinasa Nworu, which alleged that four Fulani terrorists sneaked into one of the branches of the church at Awada in an attempt to blow up the church.
“According to the post, one of the terrorists was captured and set ablaze while the three others escaped.
“We wish to unequivocally state that our church in Awada was not attacked, and nobody or group of persons attempted to detonate a bomb in the church.
“The post is false and mischievous. We urge the public to disregard the news as it is a complete falsehood.”
The clergyman enjoined members of the church to feel free to worship in any branch of the church, saying the Almighty God, which they serve, will not allow harm come their way.
