By Joseph Kingston
Calabar
A pastor with Lord’s Chosen Church in Kakwagom, Boki local government area of Cross River state, whose name was given as Pastor Vincent Eban, has been killed by a snake, described by many villagers as “spiritual.”
Eban, who until his death was also a teacher at Excellence Secondary school, Okundi village, hailed from Panyia, a neigbouring village to Kakwagom.
His body has since been taken to the Joedy Memorial Mortuary at Okundi village in Boki.
An eyewitness, Mr. Edward Akan, said the incident happened on Sunday shortly after Pastor Eban finished preaching in his church at Kakwagom and was about to mount his motorcycle back to his house at Panyia, his village.
It was at that point, he said, the mysterious snake appeared bit him and disappeared.
He said the snake bit Pastor Vincent on his laps and before people could come out, the beast had disappeared, explaining that “as soon as he (the pastor) wanted to start his motorcycle, the snake came out from the side cover of his motorcycle and bit him on his laps.
“Shortly after the snake bit him, he shouted for help and when members of the church rushed to help him, the snake suddenly disappeared.
“He was first rushed to the health centre for treatment, and was later taken to a traditional snake bite healer for treatment. As soon as he got to the traditional medicine man, Pastor Vincent died.”
Speaking, a member of his church, Mrs Theresa Binang, said the snake that killed Pastor Vincent was sent “spiritually to attack him.”
She described Pastor Vincent as “a man who lived a fulfilled life,” and, therefore, prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest.
One of his students, who preferred anonymity, said Pastor Vincent was a disciplined teacher who took his academic work seriously.
The student who also expressed shock over his death said Pastor Vincent would be greatly missed by all his students.
Other members of the community who also spoke on his death lamented the sudden demise of Pastor Vincent, claiming that the attack was spiritual.
Investigations, however, revealed that the late pastor’s church is different from the popular the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Church presided over by Pastor Lazarus Muoka.
