Gunmen suspected to be hired assassins have invaded a church, the God’s Vineyard of Grace Dominion Assembly, located at 101, Upper Lawani Street, New Benin, Benin City, shooting the pastor and killing his wife.

The pastor’s assistant was also said to have also sustained injuries on his head during the attack that took place around 7.36pm on Monday.

The police identified the clergy as Rev Samuel Chinyereugo, and his deceased wife was identified as Peace.

A source who did not want his name in print said the gunmen, suspected to be assassins, trailed the pastor who drove in the company of his wife to the church, where they rained bullets on them as soon as they parked their car in front of the church.

The source said, “Some members of the church, including the assistant pastor, were outside the church having a rehearsal ahead of a programme scheduled to commence that day when the pastor and his wife stopped by.

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“The cleric said that he had earlier noticed a car trailing him inside GRA, where he had visited a friend and he was shocked to see the same vehicle suddenly stop behind him in front of his church.

“One of the three armed men who alighted from the car approached the pastor, snatched the cross pendant on his necklace and the two other assailants opened fire from the rear.

“The pastor’s wife was hit by bullets and she died at a hospital a few hours after, while her husband and his deputy, were treated and discharged.”

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, said the command has begun a full-scale investigation to apprehend those behind the act and bring them to justice.