At least three worshippers lost their lives in a stampede at the headquarters of the Synagogue Church of all Nations, Ikotun Egbe, Lagos. The SCOAN was founded by its senior prophet, a famous televangelist, Temitope B. Joshua, popularly called TB Joshua.
According to reports, the victims were part of a crowd of worshippers that struggled to see TB Joshua during a special healing service which held on Saturday, December 10, 2016.
According to eyewitnesses, the tragedy occured at about 4.30pm.
Reports of the Synagogue tragedy became public after more than 200 people lost their lives when the church building of the Reigners Bible Church collapsed in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state.
The Uyo church tragedy is reminiscent of the tragic building collapse at the Synagogue Church in 2014. About 116 people lost their lives in the tragedy. Most of the victims were foreigners.
Punch named two of the victims of Saturday’s SCOAN tragedy as Emeka Okonkwo and Emmanuel Oherin.
The third victim remains unidentified.
“It was the church’s annual deliverance and healing programme. Usually at this time, the church becomes a beehive of activities as people come in their thousands to see the prophet for miracles,” the witness told the newspaper.
“People lodge in different hotels surrounding the church. And they all arrive at the church very early. There is a canopy on the premises where worshippers are screened before they see the man of God.
“However, on Saturday, after being screened, the crowd was much and they started struggling through the doorway to see the prophet. In the process, three people collapsed. They were rushed to the Isolo General Hospital, where they were confirmed dead.”
Dolapo Badmos, spokesperson of the Lagos Police Command, confirmed the incident, adding that investigations were ongoing.
