BENIN CITY-A blindfolded corpse of a smartly dressed man made to sit on a bare floor as its back rested against a wall, has been found inside a church in Benin City.

The frightening and discovery was made by a worshipper said to had gone for morning prayers in the church at 1, Aigbe Street, Off Igbama Street, Off Odeh Street, Upper Siluko Road, Ogida, Benin.

The finding has sparked fear and insecurity amidst residents of the area who are yet to come to terms with the unfortunate incident since last Wednesday morning.

The identity of the deceased who is his twenties remain unknown at press time, yesterday.

He was shot dead inside the church about 8pm on Tuesday, August 29, 2017.

Our reporter’s investigation revealed that residents around the church heard the gunshot but none of them dared go to find out what was happening or call the police.

“I saw a group of boys inside the compound about 7:42pm in suspicious movement, the way one of them looked at me made me to go inside my house and locked my door.

“Few minutes later I started perceiving the smell of Indian herbs, then I heard a gunshot.

“Nothing came to my mind because I was still hearing voices and footsteps, so I did not call the police or neighbour.” A resident told our reporter.

It was also learnt that the church rented the uninhabited compound which also serves as playground for children during the day and hideout for hoodlums at night.

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The victim may have been captured elsewhere by a warring cult gang, dragged to the church and murdered in cold blood.

His shirt was used to blindfold him as his trousers and shoes were intact on him.

A polythene bag containing food items was placed in front of him.

Leftover of wrapped weeds suspected to be canabis smoked during the brutal operation littered the floor of the church.

The pastor of the church (name withheld) was said to have told the police that the corpse was not in his church before he left about 6:30pm that fateful day.

He was said to have also informed the police that the deceased is not a member of his church.

It was learnt that police from Ogida police station moved the body to a mortuary.

Contacted, the police commissioner in Edo State Mr Haliru Gwandu said he was yet to be briefed of the church killing.

He enjoined members of the public to always contact the police wherever they observe suspicious movement of persons in their neighborhood.

CP Gwandu however assured residents of thourough investigation and police protection