From Dan Maduagwu,
Umuahia
Some members of the Anglican Church in Umuahia, Abia State capital have called for a thorough investigation into the mysterious death of a priest in charge of St. Luke Anglican, Ariaria Aba , Rev. Julius Dike who died in his sleep with wife and their house maid.
Rev. Dike and his wife, Agnes Dike together with their house maid were found dead inside their room by church members who had gone for early morning church service but the cause of death was not known, even though food poisoning allegations were suggested.
A church crusade was said to have been conducted by the priest within the St Luke’s Church premises the previous night after which the priest, his wife and house-help ate and went to bed. But the tragedy would have been worse if not that the children of the late couple had returned back to school, according to a church source.
They further described the tragedy as “strange, suspicious and painful”, wondering how people who were full of lives the previous evening would be found dead the next morning.
Some of the members who gave their names as Chinenye Uzokwe, Mathew Emecheta urged the Abia State Commissioner of Police, Janet Agbede to conduct thorough investigation on the matter.
A visit to St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Umuahia to get the reaction of the Anglican Bishop of Umuahia, of Bishop Geoffrey Ibeabuchi was not successful as he was not available.
Some outraged Anglicans who spoke in Umuahia while reacting to the ugly event, said that the cause of the priest’s and household should be ascertained.