A man suspected to be mentally ill has been arrested for allegedly attacking a worshipper with a machete during a deliverance service in a church in Obosi in the Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, southeast Nigeria.
It was learned that the man was brought to the church for deliverance, but he suddenly picked up a cutlass from the altar and gave the worshipper a deep cut.
The victim was rushed to a hospital and is responding to treatment, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
However, the spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the preacher had been arrested.
He also confirmed that the victim of the machete attack had been hospitalized and was responding to treatment.
The spokesman explained that the police were also interrogating the relations of the mentally ill man.
The statement partly reads, “Anambra Police today, January 14, 2024, arrested the owner of a church in Obosi, where an insane man picked a cutlass and gave a deep cut to a member of the church during deliverance service.
“Meanwhile, the victim has been taken to a hospital, and he is currently responding to treatment. Preliminary information revealed that the man of God claimed he could heal the madman and started praying.
“As the prayers were ongoing, the mentally ill man in a struggle with the pastor and other members/witnesses picked up a cutlass from the altar and wounded one of the members.
“Furthermore, the suspected unsound mind has been taken to the hospital for psychiatric evaluation and medication, and his relatives are under interrogation in safe custody. Further details shall be communicated, please.”
What was the cutlass doing on the altar?
Is it also part of the deliverance equipment?