Scores of worshippers were killed on Saturday as the building of Reigners’ Bible Church Int’l Inc, along Uyo Village Road, Uyo collapsed, many sustained serious injuries. The governor of the state, Mr. Udom Emmanuel who arrived at the service twenty minutes earlier narrowly escaped with minor injuries.
The governor was in the church for the ordination of the church’s Presiding Pastor, Bishop Elect Akan Weeks, when the building gave way few minutes before offering period. One of the aides, who rescued the governor, was said to have died at a nearby hospital where he was rushed to.
It was reported that a number dignitaries attending the event died. The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Etekamba Umoren and the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerette Udoh, were said to have sustained serious injuries.
ARM gathered that construction works on a section where the ordination held were rushed because of Saturday’s event. The church has an estimated 10,000-seater capacity.
An eye witness, Uduak Effiong, a student of the University of Uyo, Department of Communication Arts to the Punch that she lost three of her course mates to the incident.
She stated that when the building collapsed, a pillar fell upon a woman and tore her body.
She said, “I saw over 100 dead bodies. These were the ones close to me. From my estimation, more than 300 people might have died as people came from other churches in all parts of the state, including government-sponsored praised singers with uniforms to attend the programme. For some of us that escaped, we only did by the special grace of God.”
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his commiseration with the people of Akwa Ibom. In a statement released on his Twitter handle, @MBuhari, the President said he spoke with the governor of the state, Emmanuel Udom.
He wrote, “This evening I spoke with Gov @MrUdomEmmanuel to commiserate with him on the tragic collapse of the Reigners Bible Church building in Uyo. “I asked the Governor to convey to the people of Akwa Ibom the deep sorrow felt by me, and by the entire country, over this tragedy.
“I pray that the souls of the deceased will rest in peace, and that the injured will experience quick recovery. “Any tragedy that affects any part of Nigeria affects all of us. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people of Akwa Ibom.”
