In a shocking incident, a 21-year-old woman identified as Sukura Owodunni was allegedly set ablaze during a deliverance session conducted by a pastor, Taiwo Odebiyi, at his Cherubim and Seraphim Maberu Parish located in Offin, in the Sagamu area of Ogun State.
The incident reportedly occurred on August 17, 2023, when the victim visited the church for a special prayer session, at the pastor’s invitation. It is reported that the pastor instructed Owodunni to purchase Amazing Grace perfume, local eggs, and a candle for the intended deliverance.
During the prayer session, the pastor purportedly poured the perfume on the woman’s body and lit the candle. Tragically, immediately after the candle was lit, Owodunni allegedly burst into flames, sustaining serious burns to her chest, shoulder, and legs.
An eyewitness reported that the suspect, Pastor Taiwo Odebiyi, was promptly arrested after the Divisional Police Officer in Adigbe, CSP Abdulfattah Ogunsanya, and his team stormed the church premises on Tuesday.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, confirmed the incident to correspondents, noting that further investigations had commenced to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the case. Odutola also mentioned that the victim had been taken to the hospital for medical attention, but she had allegedly been left to fend for her own medical bills following the incident.
“Our men have arrested the suspect. The case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department after the preliminary investigation is perfected,” Odutola stated.
