A pastor of The Lord’s Chosen Church has been shot dead by unidentified armed men.
Chukwuemeka Akpokpo was reportedly attacked by robbers while driving one of the buses belonging to the church on Monday at Alakoso Avenue, off Ijesha bus stop.
Punch reports that Pastor Akpokpo was on his way back to the church with the sum of money collected from a bank at Apple Junction, FESTAC Town, when the incident occurred.
It was gathered that the man of God was shot in the head, while the robbers made away with the money.
A witness who resides in that area, claimed to be an eyewitness, identifying himself simply as Cornelius. He said the robbers, who were two on a motorcycle, had lurked in the area, waiting for the cleric.
The witness was quoted as saying: “It was at about 3pm. The cleric was shot by armed robbers at Alakoso Avenue, off Ijesha bus stop. The attack and the killing of the pastor showed that it was based on information.
“They had been lurking around the area for a while, but no one suspected that anything was fishy. When they saw the church vehicle approaching, they stopped him and asked where the money was.
“The pastor replied, ‘Which money?’ They did not even wait for any explanation. One of the robbers went inside the vehicle and took the money. The other gang member then shot him in the head.”
It was learnt that Akpokpo was rushed to a branch of the church in the Ijesha area, and then to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the incident, adding that the matter had been transferred to the Department of Criminal Investigations, Yaba.
He said, “The robbers trailed the pastor from a bank, and shot him dead in the area. Intensive efforts are being made to apprehend the robbers. The case has been transferred to the DCI for further investigations.”