The founder of Rapture Empowerment International Church in Osogbo, Osun State, Bishop Shina Olaribigbe, has been stabbed to death while trying to settle a domestic dispute between a couple.
Details about the couple remain unclear, but sources revealed that the wife served as an interpreter at Bishop Olaribigbe’s church, located in the BCGA area of Osogbo.
The couple according to reports had a history of frequent conflicts that led to their living separately.
It was gathered that Bishop Olaribigbe, known for his efforts to resolve their disputes, had visited the wife, who was said to be sick.
In the early hours of Thursday, the estranged husband allegedly stormed the residence unexpectedly and found the cleric in the room.
Angered, he reportedly accused the pastor of inappropriate behavior, leading to a heated face-off.
In a fit of anger, the husband is said to have stabbed Bishop Olaribigbe in the chest, killing him instantly.
A source who doesn’t want to be quoted confirmed the unfortunate incident to PUNCH.
Th source said, “The pastor died on the spot after being stabbed.”
Following the attack, both the husband and wife were arrested and detained at the Dugbe Police Division in Osogbo.
Bishop Olaribigbe’s body has been deposited at the morgue of the University of Osun Teaching Hospital.
Meanwhile, the spokesman of the command in Osun state, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the incident, noting, “The couple was estranged but not legally separated.
“The pastor often mediated in their disputes. On this occasion, he was at the wife’s residence when the husband arrived and allegedly stabbed him multiple times.”
Mr. Opalola also noted suspicions that the husband might have believed the pastor was involved in an affair with his wife, though investigations are ongoing.