A new story has emerged on how the convoy of Apostle Johnson Suleman, General Overseer, Omega Fire Ministry, was attacked and how the preacher escaped the attack that resulted in the death of seven of his associates.

Report had earlier emerged on how Suleman’s convoy came under fire on Warrake road in Auchi area of Edo state on Friday.

But an eyewitness has come up with a fresh angle to the incident.

The gunmen suspected to be kidnappers had shot directly at vehicles in the convoy.

Narrating how it all went down, the source narrated that the gunmen who had been trailing Suleman from Benin City, spread his car with bullets around river Ole.

The source told Daily Trust that Apostle Suleman opted not to go through Benin-Auchi road because of the bad situation of the road.

“He was returning from Benin to Auchi after a programme, he took Ifor road in Ondo State due to the bad condition of the Benin-Auchi road. The gunmen who had been trailing him opened fire on his convoy when they got to river Ole; Apostle Suleman drove the ‘front vehicle himself while two vehicles followed behind; they slowed when they got to a place that had speed breaker.

“The gunmen who thought he was in one of the back vehicles opened fire on them, and in the process killed police officers, two drivers and a lady. On hearing the gunshots, Apostle Suleiman. accelerated and escaped from the scene.”

The source said that upon realising that it was a failed mission, they made U-turn and headed towards Benin but the vigilante and security team comprising police and soldiers gave them a hot chase.

“When the gunmen discovered that security were after them, they hijacked a bus, killed one of the female passengers and used others as cover for escape. But one of them has been arrested.”

Shehu Sani, a former Senator from Kaduna, while corroborating some of the things that the witness said confirmed that he personally spoke with Suleman.

“I have just spoken with Apostle Suleiman. He confirmed to me that it was an assassination attempt on his life and that some of his aides lost their lives. He also confirmed there was arrest.”

Police Public Relations Officer in Edo, SP Chidi Nwanbuzor, said the police were on the trail of the attackers who fled.

“He (Apostle Suleman) was returning from Benin City when hoodlums attacked him at Auchi; during the attack three policemen, two drivers, a female domestic staff, were killed while one another domestic staff got missing during the attack.”

He further revealed that shortly after the attack, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area equally came out with his men, who went after the gunmen, killing of one of the hoodlums.

Recovered from the scene was the vehicles used for the operation.

Update news