A gang of armed robbers attacked the Vine Branch Church in Ibadan yesterday in attempt to steal the offerings collection. The robbers who had posed as congregants, immediately sprung into operation as soon as the tithes and offerings had finished being collected.
At the same time a bank van with police had also entered the church premises to secure the tithes and offerings, and a bank officer who entered the church building was attacked by the robbers who thought he had already secured the money.
The robbers, realizing that they had failed in their attempt to take the money shot sporadically into the air and left the building. Once outside, they kileed the two police escorts who came with the van.
A church member who witnessed the events said, ”No one would have expected that the robbers were among the congregation. The robbers must have visited the church more than once during the planning stage to get information on how the church keeps its offerings.
“Many church members did not know until today that the offerings are immediately taken away after they are collected. How these robbers got to know how the church treats the offerings is a mystery. I am sure this was not the first time they worshipped with us.”
A police spokesman confirmed the incident saying one of the robbers escaped but with a gunshot wound.
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