The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the death of Bishop Shina Olaribigbe, the founder of Rapture Empowerment International Church in Osogbo.
The Command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, revealed that Bishop Olaribigbe was stabbed to death while mediating in a domestic dispute between a couple.
Incident Details
According to Opalola, the husband, who suspected the cleric of having an affair with his estranged wife, attacked Olaribigbe during a visit to the woman’s residence.
“The couple were not living together, though they were not legally separated. The pastor had been intervening in their quarrels, and on this occasion, he was at the wife’s house when the estranged husband arrived,” Opalola stated.
“We were told that the husband stabbed the pastor multiple times, killing him. There is suspicion that the husband believed the pastor was having an affair with his wife,” she added.
Eyewitness Account
Sources disclosed that the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday. The wife, who served as an interpreter at Olaribigbe’s church, was reportedly ill, and the cleric had gone to visit her.
A church member, who spoke anonymously, explained, “The couple had frequent disputes and were living apart, though not officially divorced. Bishop Olaribigbe was known for mediating their issues.
During this visit, the husband arrived, and after a heated argument, he stabbed the pastor in the chest. Olaribigbe died on the spot.”
Police Action
Both the husband and wife have been arrested and are in custody at the Nigeria Police, Dugbe Division, Osogbo.
Body Deposited at UNIOSUNTH Morgue
The remains of Bishop Olaribigbe have been deposited at the University of Osun Teaching Hospital (UNIOSUNTH) morgue in Osogbo.
The police have commenced an investigation into the incident.
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