IGUEBEN-Suspected cultists have invaded a Pentecostal church chasing away the officiating pastor during cross-over service at Ebele town in Egueben local government area of Edo State.
Musical instruments belonging to the church were allegedly destroyed as some worshipers including the presiding pastor (name withheld) were given the beaten of their lives by the hoodlums.
It was gathered that trouble started when a boy alleged to have been holding a bottle of alcohol and a cigarette in his mouth walked majestically into the church during a cross-over service last Thursday.
Efforts by a vigilant usher said to have intercepted the boy and pleading with him to respect the sanctity of the house of God was resisted.
It was further learnt that the boy insisted on smoking inside the church alleging that he and the pastor used to guzzle and booze together.
The boy who was eventually forced out of the church premises allegedly reinforced and stormed the church with his gang members who descended on the worshipers and musical instruments in the church..
The Public Relations Officer for Edo Police Command DSP Osifo Abiodun said five suspects have been arrested as others are still at large.
DSP Osifo added that operatives of the Special Anti-Cultism Squad of the state police command have taken over the investigation.
