A deadly stampede has been reported at the Synagogue Church of all Nations, Ikotun, Lagos State, where the Proprietor, Pastor TB Joshua, is still battling to save his neck following the death of over a hundred worshippers – many of them from abroad – who were crushed by a collapsed building in the premises.

A PUNCH report said the stampede took place on Saturday and that no fewer than three worshippers have been confirmed dead in the incdent.

The report said that “the victims were part of a crowd that struggled to see the church’s General Overseer, Prophet Temitope Joshua, during a special healing service.”

“While two of the victims were identified as Emeka Okonkwo and Emmanuel Oherin, the third victim had yet to be identified,” the report said.

“Their corpses were said to have been deposited in a morgue in the state,” it added.

An eyewitness, who did not want to be identified, was reported as saying that the stampede occurred around 4:30 a.m.

He reportedly said: “It was the church’s annual deliverance and healing programme.

Usually at this time, the church becomes a beehive of activities as people come in their thousands to see the prophet for miracles.

“People lodge in different hotels surrounding the church. And they all arrive at the church very early.

“There is a canopy on the premises where worshippers are screened before they see the man of God.

“However, on Saturday, after being screened, the crowd was much and they started struggling through the doorway to see the prophet. In the process, three people collapsed. They were rushed to the Isolo General Hospital, where they were confirmed dead.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident, telling The PUNCH: “The story is true. Investigation is ongoing as we await the result of the autopsy. For now, we are treating the case as sudden and unnatural deaths.”

•Photo shows Pastor TB Joshua.

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