In a rare encounter with suspected assassins, popular Pastor Abel Damina escapes an assassination attempt as the assailants kill a man in Akwa Ibom Church
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
The founder and president of Abel Damina Ministries International (ADMI) Dr. Abel Damina has recounted a recent incident in which he narrowly avoided an alleged assassination attempt during a ministerial trip to Bayelsa State.
Speaking on the Clarity Zone Prodcast with media personality Chinedu ²Nedu² Emmanuel, he preacher detailed the sequence of events that led him to abruptly leave the State.
Accorhe had just concluded a preaching enagement in Warri Delta State, from where he travelled to Bayelsa for another scheduled church programme. The plan was to minister on the day of arrival and continue the following day. He was booked into a hotel by the host pastors for the duration of the visit.
Damina explained that upon arriving at the hotel he began to feel an unusual reluctance to remain in there. He claimed to have sensed a strong divine prompting and urging to leave Bayelsa immediately for his safety.
Initially, he said he tried to disregard the impression by contacting police acquaintances to arrange additional security. However, the feeling persisted led him to inform the host pastors of his intention to preach only once and depart the same night.
The preacher stated that he promised to reschedule the remaining engagements for a later date. He revealed that after his departure, the pastors chose to stay in the hotel room original reserved for him.
Later that night, Damina said armed men with guns stormed the hotel premises, asking for his whereabouts. Damina told Nedu and the podcast crew that had he ignored the divine instruction, the encounter would have ended in bloodshed.
The dramatic revelation left the hosts visibly stunned, with the cleric emphasizing that the near-death experience was a powerful reminder of the importance of spiritual sensitivity.
The account has since generated reactions with many listeners of the interview expressing both astonishing and curiosity about the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack.
In a related incident, a 45-year- old man, Udeme Uko, in Ukanafun local government area of Akwa Ibom has been alleged shot dead.
According to reports, Uko was found dead while sleeping with his family in a church in the area. Providing information on the sad incident, the Akwa Ibom police spokesperson, Timfon John disclosed that preliminary investigation revealed that the incident occurred on Tuesday, August 5th, at about 12:10am.
The police’s mouth piece said, “The victim, his wife and children were sleeping at a church Ikot Uko Usung village when a gunshot was heard in the church. It was later discovered that Mr. Udeme Uko has been shot on his head, suggesting either a self-murder or attack from enemies.
“The command was alerted to the incident by concerned citizens who received the report from the victim wife, and on receipt of the information, a team of police officer were immediately dispatched to the scene of the crime “During the visit, local made pistol was discovered as an exhibit. The corpse of the deceased has since, been deposited at the mortuary for preservation autopsy.”
While noting that the investigation was on going, the command assured the public that all necessary resources would be deployed to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.
In a related development, Imo State police command has arrested a pastor, his accomplice, and a separate suspect in two unrelated criminal cases in Orlu, involving alleged raped and murder.
Police spokesperson DSP Henry Okoye said in a statement that operatives from the Orlu Division Headquarters apprehended 37-year-old pastor Ikenna Emmanuel of Authentic Power City Church Umuobum Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State for Franklin Chizoba, for allegedly raping a 20-year-old girl.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on June 30, 2025 when the victim was invited to the pastor’s residence under the pretext of receiving prayers and spiritual cleansing.
Upon arrival, she was alleged given a drink, after which she became dizzy, enabling both suspects to have unlawful carnal knowledge of her
Following a report with the police, the two men were arrested during interrogation, both suspects confessed to the offence and further admitted to engaging in homosexual acts,” the statement said.
They were subsequently charged to court on August 12, 2025 and remanded at the Correctional Facility in Owerri pending trial.
