Suspects arrested as explosion rocks Wike’s father’s church

Suspected arsonists Saturday night threw a substance suspected to be dynamite into the Christian Universal Church International, a Pentecostal church presided over by Rev. Nlemanya Wike, the father of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.

An eyewitness and a member of Diobu Vigilante Group, Collins Johnbull, said that they saw five men entering the church premises located at Azikiwe Street in Diobu, Port Harcourt, at about 9pm on Saturday.

Johnbull said his men thought that the five persons were members of the church until they heard a deafening sound of substance suspected to be dynamite minutes after.

He said that he saw the men armed with guns running out of the church premises moment after the object exploded.

“On Saturday night, we saw five men entering the church premises at about 9pm but we thought they were church members.

“After some minutes, we heard a loud sound suspected to be dynamite and at that point, we saw the hoodlums running out with guns.

“We quickly mobilized our men to the scene and arrested two of the suspects before the arrival of the police,” he said.

Johnbull said the suspects had been handed over to the police.

Another member of the Vigilante Group, Uche Brown, said one of their members was in the hospital because of the injury he sustained while going after the hoodlums.

Brown begged Governor

Wike to assist in the payment of medical bills of the injured member of their group.

Our correspondent reports that there was heavy presence of security agencies at the church premises and the adjourning street while traffic had been shut down in the area.

When contacted, Rivers State Police Command Public Relation Officer, Nnamdi Omoni, who confirmed arsonists attack on the church to our reporter in Port Harcourt at the weekend, said three suspects had been arrested in connection with the attack.

“I can confirm the attack on the church and three suspects arrested in connection with the attack. They are helping us in our investigation. The church has been swept by the Bomb Department. More details will follow later,” he added.