Tragic Incident in Bayelsa: Father Allegedly Kills Children Following Pastor’s Prophecy.
From Our Correspondent.
In a harrowing case from Bayelsa State, Nigeria, 42-year-old Sunday Otasi has been apprehended by the police for allegedly murdering two of his sons using a toxic substance known as ‘Sniper’, driven by suspicions of witchcraft.
The incident, which took place in the Agbobiri-Okodia area of Yenagoa Local Government, saw Otasi reportedly take his three sons—Success (14), Miracle (12), and Godstime (10)—to a secluded location along Glory Drive Road. With the assistance of his younger brother, Levai Ayah, Otasi is accused of binding the children to a tree and forcing them to ingest the lethal substance.
The tragedy reportedly began in September of the last year when Prophet George Odoko of the George Odoko Outreach Ministries informed Otasi that his children were practicing witchcraft and were responsible for his health issues.
Since that revelation, the children had endured various forms of abuse from their father and relatives, who held the belief that their mother, no longer in the marriage, had cursed them.
Despite his arrest, Otasi has denied the allegations, claiming he only intended to seek deliverance for his children at the church but was unable to do so due to the pastor’s unavailability.
He stated that he entrusted the children to Levai with the intent of returning them to their mother in their village, asserting ignorance of what transpired on their journey.
However, the eldest son, Success, managed to evade death and has been receiving treatment in a hospital.
He recounted the terrifying events, revealing that their father had misled them into thinking they were going to a church service before abandoning them in the bush. After freeing himself from his bindings, Success was able to reach the road, where passersby assisted him and took him to the hospital.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aminu Selah, confirmed the investigation’s progression, noting that the suspect had made confessional statements while authorities continue their search for the fleeing accomplice.
He urged parents to express love and care for their children and advised the community against any form of vigilante justice.
