Abia pastor, wife, househelp die after Anglican church crusade

The priest-in-charge of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Ariaria Archdeaconry, Aba North Local Government Area of Abia State, Archdeacon Julius Dike, has died.

His wife Agnes and their house help also suffered the same fate in an occurrence that has been described as “mysterious”.

Sources said the priest did not show any sign of ill-health despite holding a crusade on Monday.

It was gathered that some of those who attended the morning service became apprehensive when the priest did not come out to conduct service, or any member of the family coming to explain why he could not make it.

Some were said to have gone to his apartment to inquire if all was well with them, only to meet their doors locked. No one also responded to their calls, with sources saying it was not so of the priest and family.

Worried by the situation, the parishioners were said to broken into their apartment, only to meet the three limp.

They were taken to a private hospital where they were confirmed dead.

A source in the church said the cause of their death was yet to be ascertained, but suspects food poisoning as there are no traces of inhaling generator fume.

The children could have died with their parents if not that they had gone back to their boarding schools, it was also gathered.

A police source, who said that they were yet to get an official report as at last night, said the police would act to unravel the mysterious deaths.