A church event turned into an emergency scene after five members died while several others were hospitalized following a Love Feast in a white garment church in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to a Punch Newspaper report, the affected church members became ill and rushed to the Infectious Disease Centre in Olodo, Egbeda Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The ‘Love Feast’ is a popular event in the white garment church known as Ipese.
The incident, which occurred last Sunday within the church premises in Apata, Ido Local Government Area, is said to have thrown the entire community into a state of confusion.
A source quoted by the newspaper said it has not been established whether the Ipese meal was responsible for the deaths.
“I ate the same beans that everyone else, including the victims, ate, and nothing happened to me.
“It’s not clear that the incident is related to the Ipese, as some people are claiming. Various government agencies, including the police, DSS, media outlets, and even the World Health Organization, have been here to investigate. Their findings haven’t been made public yet, but I can assure you it’s not about Ipese,” he said.
According to a source in the clinic, 50 of the church members who participated in the Love Feast were rushed to the clinic but treated and discharged.
“Some of the affected people were brought here for treatment. So far, 50 have been discharged, while others are still receiving care,” the official said.
The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso, confirmed the incident. Osifeso noted that investigations are ongoing.
