By Bose Adelaja
But for providence, members and management of the Methodist Church Nigeria, located at Owolowo street, Ikorodu, Lagos would have been thrown into mourning following an attempt by a young man to plant an explosive device there after scaling the fence of the church compound.

The development which happened on Tuesday last week, has since thrown members of the church into fear, especially against the backdrop of what they describe as the glaring lack of security in the area. In fact, some of them who spoke to Vanguard Metro, VM, said the area has come under repeated attacks in the past few months, including armed robbery and cultism, in spite of the presence of security operatives in the area.

This easily explains why a mob swooped on and almost lynched the suspect after he was apprehended by the security team of the church following an alarm raised by some neighbours.

Olasunkanmi Ismail, as he later identified himself, told the mob that he was sent to plant a bomb in the church compound but bluntly refused to reveal the identity of those who sent him.

*The Methodist Church building, Ikorodu

Initially, the suspect was taken for one of those who come to beg for alms in the church. But something about his conduct soon aroused suspicion leading to his being searched and to the amazement of many, a crown cork with the baffling message, “Open in case of emergency”, was found on him. This immediately drew a mob which attempted to lynch him on the spot.

However, the Presbyter, Rev. Matthew Ogunsiji, stopped the action and invited the Police from Ikorodu Division who responded immediately.

The 26-year-old Olasunkanmi, a native of Iwo, Osun State was thereafter handed over to the Police at Ikorodu division for further interrogation.

Speaking with VM, the Presybiter said the church members also apprehended a stranger who was found wandering in the church compound on Monday but they later released him as there was no evidence to suggest that he meant harm.  “We decided to inform the Police about today’s incident  because the item on him was suspicious,” he said.

According to him, the church has a population of about 2000 members and has been in existence for over 100 years. “The young man of about 26 years jumped over the fence into the compound around 7.30 and was apprehended by the security team who interrogated him after a crown cover bearing a scary message was found on him.

Also, he made a statement to the effect that he was asked to come and plant a bomb in the compound. It was on account of this that we immediately alerted the Police at Ikorodu and the Divisional Police Officer and his team came to assess the situation.

We also contacted the Commissioner of Police who sent a team of anti-bomb squad to carry out a search round the premises but reported they did not discover any bomb. This has sent a signal to us to improve on our security system which we hope to do as soon as possible,’’ he informed.

An eye witness Mr. Sola Arowolo said bombers do not usually target small churches but bigger ones. “Their target are churches with large population; they are already aware that the church is one of the biggest in Ikorodu and that is why they are after it.

What happened today might not have been recorded if the church had not released the suspect they arrested last Monday and this would have sent a signal to his team that the place is a danger zone,” he said.

Another member, who gave her name as Madam Okereke Evelyn, said the incident might affect subsequent church attendance as many members will now be scared to come around.

When VM got to the scene, scores of sympathisers were around to congratulate the church authorities and to thank God for averting a possible tragedy.  Some of them who spoke with VM said the suspect did not reveal his true identity. “He speaks Yoruba fluently but  he might be one of those Northerners who were brought up in Yoruba land,” they chorused.

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Joseph Jayeoba, confirmed the arrest of the suspect who he said have been found to be  insane, adding that further investigations are ongoing.