Outrage As Gunmen Kill Church Founder, Pastor In Akwa Ibom

Residents of Ikot Ntuen community of Ekpenyong Atai 2 in Essien Udim local government area of Akwa Ibom State have expressed their anger in open protest over the gruesome murder of their son, Prophet Elisha Asuquo and his assistant, Pastor Aniekan Ibanga, by suspected assailants.

Asuquo, who was the founder of the Mount of Solution Redeem Church (MSRC) and the pastor, LEADERSHIP gathered, were shot dead at the church headquarters at Ikot Ekang village, Abak LGA in circumstances yet -to- be unravelled by the police.

During the protest march which ended at the Ikot Ntuen, Ekpenyong Atai village hall, the Village council chairman, Mr Obot Akpan Udouko, lamented that the deceased was murdered with his assistant Pastor Ibanga, leaving behind his family and four children, including a one-month-old son.
Udouko, therefore, appealed to the state governor, Umo Eno; speaker, House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong (Abak); the commissioner of police, Waheed Ayilara; chairman of Abak LGA, Mr Ekerette Inyang; his Essien Udim counterpart, Mr Anthony Luke, and other well-meaning citizens of the state, to intervene in the matter by fishing out the killers and bringing them to justice.

In their separate remarks, women leader of the village, Mrs Paulina Akpan; Youths’ leader, Uduak Akpan; the Nto Ekwere Family chairman, Chief Iyakndue Thomas, amongst others, expressed displeasure over the murder of their sons, and made a case for expedited action to arrest the perpetrators with a view to unravelling the truth behind such dastardly act.

Besides, they appealed to the state government to come to the aid of the young widow and the children left behind by the late cleric.

“They were both shot dead at the Church premises at Ikot Ekang community, Abak LGA at about 7:30pm by armed gunmen who stormed the Church premises on motorcycles.

“The matter has been reported to the police, but we are not satisfied with the way it is being handled, we want justice because justice delayed, could be justice denied,” the youths’ leader said.