Policeman killed as arsonists burn worship house in Akure; police insist ‘body not exhumed from church’

A policeman and an unidentified person were killed on Wednesday as suspected arsonists burnt down a worship house, Sotitobire Miracle Centre, in Oshinle area of Akure.
There had been tension in the area over the reported disappearance of a one year-old boy, Gold Kolawole, at the worship house on November 10.
Mr Femi Joseph, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ondo State confirmed the killing of a policeman and an unidentified person on Wednesday.
The killings came as irate youths set ablaze the worship house and a vehicle following reports that the corpse of the missing boy was exhumed from the worship house.
The billboard of the worship house at another branch in  Oba Ile area of Akure was also pulled down.
Kolawole, according to reports, was last seen in company with his parents  at a programme held at the worship house  on November 10 about 11:30 a.m.
The founder of the church, Alfa Babatunde,  was arrested by the Department of State Services on December 8 following a petition written by the parents of the missing boy.
Joseph had in an earlier statement on Wednesday dismissed reports that the corpse of the missing Kolawole was exhumed inside the worship house.
“It is most unfortunate that this misleading information spearheaded by a popular TV station has ignited spontaneous reactions from the people leading to wanton destruction of properties and injuries to many.
“The church building was  also set ablaze by irate youths. Some of our officers dispatched to the scene to contain the situation were pelted with stones  with many of them sustaining injuries.
“Their patrol vehicle was also badly damaged,” Joseph had said in the statement.
Joseph called on the public not to be hoodwinked  by reports that the command had abandoned the investigation of the incident, saying the case file was already on the way to the DPP for legal advice.
Below is the statement:
“The Ondo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public particularly the People of Ondo State that they should disregard the rumours making the rounds that the body of a recently declared missing boy in the state  has been exhumed from   Sotitobire church in Akure.
“It is most unfortunate that this misleading information spearheaded by a popular TV station, has ignited a spontaneous reactions from the people leading to wanton destruction of properties and injuries to many.
“The church building was  also set ablaze by irate youths. Some of our officers dispatched to the scene to contain the situation were pelted with stones  with many of them sustaining injuries.
“Their patrol vehicle was also badly damaged. This rejoinder became necessary to disabuse the minds of many Nigerians who might have fallen for this wicked lies and propaganda. “The public should also not be hoodwinked  by reports that the command has abandoned the investigation of the incident,as the case file is already on the way to the DPP for legal advice. Notwithstanding this latest incident, more reinforcement has been sent to the scene to contain the situation”.