Catholic priest robbed in Benin, church funds stolen

Gunmen

Unknown persons have broken into the office of Rev. Father Andrew Ihonda-Ovienloba of St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Aruogba in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, making away with church funds.

The priest confirmed the robbery on Sunday during mass, adding that a huge sum was taken. He did not disclose the amount.

He said he woke up on Sunday morning to discover the incident, indicating that the robbers might be people who were familiar with the environment as they did a ‘neat job’.

He said: “Forty days after the birth of Jesus was celebrated all over the world, robbers broke into my office and stole the money which belongs to the church.

“The money they stole was the money the poor people, who have one problem or another, used to sow seeds and offer petitions (prayers) to God.

“Automatically, the robbers have succeeded in carrying the problems and challenges of those who offered the money to God for prayers.

“You cannot rob a house of God or a man of God and go scot-free. When you rob a house of God, you carry all the sufferings and pains of the congregation.”

The priest later prayed for the robbers to repent.