Baptist cleric shot dead by assailants in Ondo

A middle-aged Baptist Church pastor, Mr. Deji Joshua, was shot dead on Monday night by some suspected armed robbers in Okitipupa, Ondo State.

The Guardian learnt that the victim was the pastor in charge of the Goodnews Baptist Church, Igbegunrin in Ilaje-Apoi Baptist Association of Ondo State Baptist Conference.

It was gathered that the late clergyman was attacked by the unknown hoodlums on his motorcycle along Ode-Aye Road. They also stole his motorcycle.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, recounted that the unfortunate incident occurred around 11:30p.m. on that fateful day, plunging the whole community into sorrow.

The state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Revd. John Ayo Oladapo, who described the murder as callous and ungodly, appealed to security agencies in the state to bring the killers to book.

“We are saddened by the incident and we are imploring the police and other security agents to fish out the killers and bring them to book,” Oladapo said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Femi Joseph, who confirmed the crime, said the command had commenced investigation on the incident.

“When we heard about the incident, our men moved to the scene and we saw bullet wounds on his body. We will conduct an autopsy to know the actual cause of death,” he said.