A woman, Sukura Owodunni, has been reportedly set ablaze by a pastor of a church in Ogun State, South West Nigeria.
Reports say the incident occurred on August 17 while the pastor, Taiwo Odebiyi, of the Cherubim and Seraphim Maberu Parish, was ministering deliverance on the 21-year old woman.
Miss Owodunni reportedly visited the church for a special prayer at the instance of Odebiyi.
The cleric asked the woman to buy Amazing Grace perfume, local eggs and a candle for the prayer.
An eye witness said while the praying session was in progress, Odebiyi poured the perfume on Owodunni and lit the candle and in the process she caught fire. She was said to have sustained severe burns to her chest, shoulder and legs.
Odebiyi, according to the reports, was arrested after the incident was reported to the Nigerian police.
The Divisional Police Officer in Adigbe, Abdulfattah Ogunsanya, a chief superintendent of police, led a team of policemen to the church premises to effect the arrest.
Spokesperson of the force in Ogun State, Omolola Odutola, said investigation is ongoing.
“The lady was said to have been abandoned to fend for her medical bills after the incident. The victim has been taken to the hospital for medical attention,” Odutola said, adding that the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department after preliminary investigation is concluded.
The Cherubim and Seraphim sect believes in the use of water and oil. The adherents believe that water has a type of healing power, because of baptism and the spirit of God that dwells within it. They also believe in the use of consecrated oil, because it is backed by the bible in James 5:14-15.