Residents of the Igogoro Agu community in Enugu State, mostly Christians, have been left in a confused state after a general overseer said to be in her 30s reportedly committed suicide.
The deceased whose name is identified simply as Prophetess Anthonia Okwor reportedly hung herself on a tree hours after Sunday service yesterday.
The development has caused mixed reactions in the Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the state as the self-acclaimed prophetess, who is held in high esteem among worshipers and residents, reportedly killed herself without leaving a suicide note behind.
It was gathered that the deceased left her prayer ground on Sunday afternoon immediately after service and disappeared into thin air.
She was nowhere to be found for hours until some persons saw her dead body dangling on top of a tree inside the bush.
Prophetess Okwor, according to residents who spoke with newsmen, was the founder and general overseer of a prayer ministry at Igogoro Agu community.
Vanguard was told during a chat with an eyewitness that Okwor’s prayer ministry specialized in chasing away demons from people.
“The said victim was a Prophetess. She prayed for people regularly and got them delivered. In fact, she specialized in casting away stubborn demons from people’s life. How she decided to take her own life was a big surprise to all of us,” the news platform quoted the resident as saying.
Another eyewitness also said that “we were supposed to go see her on Sunday afternoon for a prayer programme. When we went to her prayer ground, we couldn’t see her. We went back to our various houses only to hear later in the evening that she has killed herself by hanging on top of a tree. This is very bad. Too bad.”
Testimonies from the residents assured that Okwor did not make any prior complaints that could be linked to her sudden death.
“She never told us of anything. In fact, she was the one consoling people who were in difficulties. By virtue of her character and behaviour, she did not complain of anything that can lead her to this ugly incident,” a resident and supposed follower of the prophetess testified.
While an officer of the Nigeria Police Force from the Ogrute Division assured journalists that the incident is under investigation, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Daniel Ndukwe, could not be reached as at reporting time.