Man Beaten To Death During ‘Deliverance’ In Edo; Pastor Arrested

A 45-year old man identified as Osayande Ekhator has been mysteriously killed during a deliverance service at a Pentecostal church at Uselu Quarters in Egor Local Government, Edo state.

The victim’s family had taken him to the Holy Ghost Deliverance Centre popularly called Hope Ministry for spiritual cleansing when the sad incident occurred.

Some family members alleged that the victim was beaten to death and that they saw his lifeless body with bloodstains.

Father of the deceased, Pa Ekhator, told newsmen that he suspected that the deliverance session had gone wrong when his late son was thrown to the ground, with his hands and legs tied.

He said, “They forced‎ him and tied him as usual and threw him down. From there, they carried a bucket full of water and poured it on his body.

“The mother asked why. They said that is what they usually do‎, that after struggling, they wanted him to have rest and cool down. After about five minutes she came crying that Osayande is dead.”

Sister of the victim, alleged that the victim was “beaten to death” by his deliverers, who also planned to deposit his remains at a mortuary.

She said, “‎They beat him to death. They removed the clothed he came with, bathe him and wear another clothe on him.

“They said that they wanted to take him to a mortuary. But we refused.”

A resident in the area who pleaded anonymity said ‎there were blood stains on his head.

“I think he must have hit his head somewhere. I saw blood on his head‎ when his body was placed in a vehicle,” the resident said.

Resident Pastor of the church, Mrs. Isoken Ekundaye, denied the allegations and said several insane persons have been healed in the church.

“We don’t kill here. We don’t beat here. If they bring insane people, we heal,” Ekundaye said‎.

Some youths however invaded the church after the incident and destroyed many properties.

Edo Police spokesman, DSP Stephen Onwochei, said that the said pastor had been arrested and the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for investigation.