Christians Were Dancing and Singing When Nigerian Church Collapsed Killing 160, Survivors Say
Some 160 Christians who died in Nigeria after the Reigners Bible Church International building in Uyo collapsed on them Saturday were reportedly in the throes of worship when the tragedy struck and turned their praise into frightened screams and a bloodbath.
"I was inside the church. Everything was normal; there was no problem. A lady was called to lead the praise worship session; the governor came in shortly after that. As the praise worship was going on, the building fell and I didn't know how I got here," Eno Etim, a survivor of the collapse, told Punch.
Etim, who was speaking from a local hospital, said she had no idea how she got there but remembers an iron bar hitting her in the back during the collapse before she passed out.
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In a post on Facebook Sunday, survivor Nonye Richy thanked God she escaped alive but said she saw a woman beside her get split in two as the metal girders fell and the corrugated iron roof of the church, which was still under construction, caved in.
"Yeaa. It's true that I was in the church building when it fell, it's true that the building fell on me but I don't know how I got out alive. I tot it was a joke wen I came out alive until I saw the gal sitting closed to me split in halves by the rod," wrote Richy.
"Also my friend, Peace Udoh, who I signaled to get me a copy of the program, also Queen Ekong, who I saw there too, were confirmed dead. Finally, am here to say 'thank you' to the only God that saved my life, many who were better than me lost their lives that day but I don't know how God did, I don't know why he did it but what I know is that God made a way for me to be alive till today ... words cannot express how grateful I am to God first and then to you all for the numerous calls, text, posts, prayers and sound words. I also thank God for my Fwnd who went there with me Etieno Shugaboo Samuel, we came out alive. Am just speechless. #My heart bleeds for the lost members. I pray God gives the family the fortitude to bear the massive loss," she noted.
According to The Associated Press, hundreds of people had been inside the Reigners Bible Church International on Saturday for the consecration of founder Akan Weeks as its bishop.
Scores of photos posted online of the tragedy reflected a macabre scene of people trapped below the corrugated iron and even some with serious head wounds. The AP said local mortuaries were overflowed with bodies on Sunday.
According to the church's Facebook page, Pastor Weeks appears to have escaped the tragedy with only a leg injury.
In a statement release on behalf of the church on Monday, Pastor Anietie Daniel said they shared in the pain of the dead.
"On behalf of the entire family of Reigners Bible Church International, we share in the agony, pain and anguish of the injured, traumatized and deceased worshipers and guests as a result of the unfortunate collapse of the roof structure during the aborted Bishopric Enthronement Service of our General Overseer; Apostle Akan Weeks on Saturday, 10th December at about 1130hours," Daniel said in a statement.
She went on to emphasize that Weeks' enthronement had not yet been carried out despite rumors that he was.
"Our hearts go out to the families of the afflicted even as we pray for the repose of lost souls, divine direction and comfort. Isaiah 40:1 'Comfort, yes, Comfort my people, says your God,' God will Comfort us all and keep this city, state and nation from danger and destruction in Jesus Mighty name," the church statement said.
Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom State who was one of the survivors of the collapse church building, said the government will work to ensure that something like this never happens again.
"It's not a good thing and we are really, really devastated that this could happen. But at the same time, I pray that people should be calm and let's actually assess the situation, let's see the casualties that we have and then rest assured on the part of government. We'll do everything possible to make sure that this never happens again in this state," said Emmanuel.
