Angry youths of Daudu community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, yesterday, set ablaze Divine Shadow Church over allegation connecting its Founder, one Prophet Joshua Uhembe to the disappearance of male genitals in the community.
The youths had, three days ago, protested on the major Makurdi-Lafia highway passing through the community over what they described as the disappearance of six persons’ manhood in the community within a space of one month.
Our correspondent recalled that one young man accused of stealing the genitals committed suicide last month in a classroom in the locality which also hosts three Internally Displaced Peoples’ (IDPs) camps.
The youths alleged that the Prophet Uhembe and his accomplice, Noah Saka were masterminds of the genitals disappearance.
Nongu Francis, who claimed to be a victim, told our correspondent, that his genital was stolen on October 10 this year allegedly by the deceased, who committed suicide.
Francis said he had worked in the farm of the deceased, who later lured him to perform some bathing rituals with an instruction to stay away from sex for about six days.
He said after obeying the command, he could no longer function sexually. Francis said his case was not a total disappearance but inability to get erection.
Another youth from the community, who simply identified himself as Jonah, said the disappearance of the victims’ male organ propelled the burning of the church.
Our correspondent however could not traced the accused prophet for his comment at the time of filing this report, as some villagers alleged that he fled the community.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue Command, DSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the burning of the church, adding that some persons were also arrested for destruction of public property.
“If you allege that somebody took your manhood, it is not a justification for you to go and destroy property.
“There is due process for everything so while they are at the hospital to confirm whether that is true, we will still handle them (the protesters) as people who have destroyed property,” Anene maintained
Daily Trust
