Popular Cleric In Abraka Appreciates God For Deliverance From Suspected Herdsmen

By Daniel Dafe

The Zonal Coordinator of Church of God Mission International Incorporated (CGMi), Abraka Zone, Rev. Evans Obakpolo, joined by family members, friends and well-wishers, today held a thanksgiving service to appreciate God over his miraculous escape and three others from persons suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.

The cleric was said to be with his wife, Pastor Felicia Obakpolo, son, Etiosa and his driver, when the armed men attacked them along Benin-Evboesi Road, close to the popular Benin junction in Abraka, on their way from Edo State.

During an exclusive chat with Oasis Magazine (OM), the celebrant, Rev. Obakpolo, appreciated God for the successful ceremony, saying that the programme was put together to thank God for the great deliverance upon his life.

He added: “The occasion was organized to celebrate the hand of God upon our lives that spared us on the 11th of February from the hands of herdsmen. God delivered us and we decided to fix this day to appreciate him for all he has done.”

He commended those that turned out en masse to celebrate with him, saying that what played out at the venue of the ceremony was a testimony that he was loved by members of the church he pastored.

On her part, the cleric’s wife thanked God for the auspicious event.

She said: “God did wondrous things in our lives and I am happy that I am alive to testify. It is indeed a great day.

“The attack by those herdsmen was horrible. I would not pray for my enemies to experience what happened on the day of the attack. It was just God that brought us out. Our attackers were heartless men and people without souls that can destroy and wreck havoc.”

She continued: “Today is special because we are alive. God spared our lives and delivered us from the mouth of the lion. It was a miraculous escape.”

She prayed for God’s blessings on those that joined them in the celebration.

OM also spoke with one of the leaders in the host church, Elder M.U. Ayeni.

Elder Ayeni said that members of the church were joyful that their pastor was delivered from the herdsmen.

“We thank God for all he has done to give us joy, laughter and the grace to thank Him,” he said.

He called on the celebrant and his family to keep on trusting God and doing His work, as he urged church members to continue to back the pastor in prayers to enable him successfully carry out the work that he is doing, as well as overcome all problems and difficulties.

The programe was a well attended event, as guests from and beyond Delta State were in attendance.