Last month, Gold Kolawole, a one year old baby, was declared missing during a church service in Akure.
The boy went missing during a Sunday service after being registered in the children department unit of the church; Sotitobire Miracle Church in Akure, Ondo state.
The Church has now been set on fire by irate youths after the corpse of the missing boy was allegedly exhumed, from the church altar.
An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said people were baffled when police officers attached to B Division Station, Akure, arrived and began to beat residents and chase them away from the church.
“There was a rumour that the child was found at the altar of the church as early as 6:00am, I rushed to the church.
“By the time I got there, we began to ask questions then we discovered that it was a rumour but the rumour had filtered through the community.
“Residents of the community all trooped to the church.
“In a twinkle of an eye, armed policemen began attacking residents including journalists who also came to do their job.
“In retaliation, angry community members set the church ablaze.” the witness said.
According to sources within the church, the boy who was at the children’s department of the church could not be found after the service.
Modupe Kolawole, mother of the child and member of the church, said she suspected foul play in the disappearance of her son.
Alfa Babatunde, founder of the church, was arrested following the incident, and he has been in the custody of the DSS.
He was arrested based on a petition written by the parents of the missing child.
