The police said it would probe the death of Rasheedat Mufutau, Anifowose Basira, and Abdul-Rahman Afolabi at a healing home run by a Cherubim and Seraphim pastor, Taiwo Olaniyi, in Ofatedo, Osun State.
Also, a nine-month-old baby reportedly died after bathing with some soap while on admission at the healing home.
PUNCH Metro reports that the incident, which threw the Ofatedo community into panic, occurred on June 28, 2022, and the corpses of the deceased were said to have been evacuated by the police after it was reported.
Apart from Pastor Olaniyi that was arrested, also being held in connection with the death was his wife, identified simply as Kemi, while the suspects were currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department of the Osun police command, they were said to have made confessional statements regarding the deaths.
It was gathered that some residents of the area were alerted to the incident after the nine-month-old Abdul-Rahman cried without stopping, and was rushed out of the church by his mother before he gave up the ghost.
It was further learned that the corpses of the deceased were later discovered around 5:40 am on the church premises by some people in the area, who alerted the police.
Giving further insight into the incident, The Spokesperson for the Osun Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the death, saying the pastor in charge of the church and his wife was already in the custody.
Opalola said, “The incident happened on June 28, 2022, at about 5:40 am. It happened behind Olofa Grammar School, Ofatedo. Mr Taiwo Olaniyi, who is 42 years, head of a C&S Church, and also into trado-medical activities, is said to be running a healing home, and his wife, named Kemi, 28 years, is currently in the custody in connection with the deaths.
“One of the deceased persons is Rasheedat Mufutau, 58 years. She was taken there because she was diabetic. Others are Anifowose Basira, 48 years and Abdul-Rahman Afolabi. We learnt they took their bath with a bar of soap while on admission at the healing home.
“The nine-month-old baby was said to be crying without stopping and was rushed out of the church. His cry alerted people to the happenings in the healing home. We are still investigating the matter. Those in the custody have made confessional statements. More people will be arrested.”
