Israel Umoh
In what could be seen as the finger of God in action, four persons survived an auto crash that claimed 13 persons- 11 officers (Pastors) and two members of The Salvation Army, Akwa Ibom South East Division.
The auto crash that occurred on Ovie River Road in Edo State along Benin-Asaba Expressway claimed the lives of the clergymen and others who were heading to Akwa Ibom after officers’ conference in Lagos.
The speeding Dangote truck was said to have hit the 18-seater bus from the rear resulting in the deaths of the occupants.
Also read: Tears, drizzles interweave as The Salvation Army parades, buries 13 in one day
Among the survivors are Majors Peace/Ijeoma Ikpatt, Lt. Nsima Udoh and Lieutenant Blessing James Etukakpan.
Though Majors Ikpatt attended the funeral service organised for the 13 fallen colleagues at Eket Township Sports Stadium on Friday, Lt. Udoh and Lt. Blessing Etukakpan could not come. attend due to their ill-health
‘‘Lt. Udoh and Lt. Etukakpan are still being attended to in Benin General Hospital in Edo State. Mrs Etukakpan is said to have sustained injuries on her waist and neck,’’ a source told Straightnews at the stadium.
Though Majors Ikpatt came out live from the ill-fated bus, Ijeoma sustained injury on her left leg.
Unfortunately, Lt. Udoh abnother of the bus lost his wife, Lt. Margaret while Lt. Blessing lost her husband- Lt. James, one-year-old child- Gabriella and brother-in-law- DSL Christian- in the tragic incident.
In a testimony at the stadium, Major Peace Ikpat flanked by his wife- Ijeoma thanked God for sparing their lives.
‘‘Four of us were saved from the auto crash. It was only God. As our immediate past Governor Udom Emmanuel used to say: Only God. It did not happen because we could fly. I believe God spared our lives for a purpose. On June 29, 2023, we boarded a bus at Lagos and headed to our home state- Akwa Ibom. At Ovia Bypass in Benin, driver of Dangote truck, who later confessed that he had brake failure, hit our bus from the rear.’’
He quoted from Ps 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side and ten thousand at his right hand, but it shall not come near. Only with thine eyes shall we behold and see the reward of the wicked. As God spared our lives, He will spare yours forever.”
Funeral service for the departed
The deceased included little Gabriella Etukakpan, Majors Unyime and Mary Ekere, Majors Sunday & Ofonime Sampson; Major & Lieutenant Emem & Nseobong Obot; and Lt. Margaret Nsima Udoh.
Others were Major Emem Udobong, Captains Edet & Mfonobong Akpan Umana, Lieutenant James Etukakpan, and DSL Christian Etukakpan.
Though the service began after 11 a.m. with tuneful songs to soothe frayed nerves, the rains stopped abruptly but resumed drizzling after the service as the coffins were escorted by their bereaved families to their different resting ground.
In his sermon, Keith Conrad, the International Secretary for West Africa who represented the International President, said the dead were gallant soldiers who had been promoted to glory.
Bible passages were read from John 11:20-26 and Romans 8:35-37.
According to him, they had gone to do the work of God but they died on the way on doing work of the Lord.
‘‘I came to celebrate the lives of the people who were in the forefront against spiritual darkness, men and women who fought as gallant soldiers but who died in the process of fighting.’’
He encouraged Christians to be strong and relentless in fighting to make Heaven.
Earlier, Commissioners Daniel and Tracey Kasuso, the Territorial Commissioner and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries, had acknowledged the support offered by Governor Umo Eno and Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and International body the organization to the bereaved families.
