More than 200 die in Akwa Ibom church collapse, But the Gov Udom Emmanuel, narrowly escaped death

Yesterday incident left more than 200 worshipers dead (RIP). But the state Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, narrowly escaped death on Saturday as the building of Reigners’ Bible Church Int’l Inc, along Uyo Village Road, Uyo, the state capital, collapsed during service.

Sources said it took the efforts of the governor’s security officers to whisk him away to safety. He was said to have sustained a minor injury.

 

The governor was in the church attending 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.

A security officer, who did not want to be named, said many dignitaries who accompanied the governor to the church also died.

Our correspondent gathered that the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Etekamba Umoren, also shattered his head in the incident. He was said to have been taken to an undisclosed hospital in the state.

the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerette Udoh, also sustained serious injury.

It was 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. Two cranes belonging to construction giant, Julius Berger, were used to clear the debris.

a student of the University of Uyo, Department of Communication Arts, Uduak Effiong, said 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.”

A clash was averted between the police and some residents as the latter tried to calm frayed nerves.

Mrs. Yenime Ekpo, who is a mother to one of the victims, Tony Brown, 46 with six children, said they were worshiping in the church when the building collapsed.

She stated that Brown was trapped in the rubble for many hours along with others before she was rescued.

Saying she was unsure of her son’s survival, Ekpo noted that they were not members of the church but only went to witness the ordination

Another student of the University of Uyo, Jennifer Thomas, told our correspondent that one of her friends, Blessing Linus, was trapped in the debris.

It was learnt that the iron used in holding the roofing sheet was twice heavier than the block used for the building. Security operatives cordoned the area and denied journalists access.

Some members of the church seized the identity card of our correspondent and his computer tablet, saying he was a traitor as he tried to take pictures.