Parishioners and local residents of Ikot Ekang, a tranquil community nestled in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom state, are engulfed in grief and mourning.
The somber atmosphere follows the tragic and brutal murder of Apostle Elisha Asuquo, the revered founder of the Mount of Solution Redeemed Church (MSRC).
Gunmen stormed the National Headquarters of the Church at about 7:30 pm over the weekend, disrupting an ongoing Parish meeting and tragically ending the lives of two clerics, Apostle Asuquo and Pastor Aniekan Ibanga.
According to eyewitnesses, the assailants arrived on a motorcycle, swiftly committing the crime before fleeing through Abak-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway.
Apostle Asuquo, handling a sensitive marital reconciliation matter, was fatally targeted, while Pastor Aniekan Ibanga also fell victim to the attack. The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many expressing disbelief over the unprecedented violence.
“It was around 8 p.m., I was attending a church programme when somebody called and asked me whether I have heard that Prophet Elisha and his Pastor have been shot dead. While still on that call, another person came in and told me that Prophet Elisha and Pastor Aniekan have been killed,” said Bishop John Jeremiah Kpongkpong, expressing his dismay.
Chief Christopher Udotim, representing Ikot Obio Ikpa Village, and Mr. Alphonsus Alphonsus Okoro, the Youth President, conveyed their deep sorrow and emphasized the need for cooperation between villages to investigate the heinous crime.
The Village Head of Ikot Ekang acknowledged the gravity of the situation, urging security agencies to intensify efforts in apprehending the perpetrators.
Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Odiko MacDon, assured that the Commissioner of Police has ordered a thorough investigation, promising that the culprits would be brought to justice.
