A church member suffered machete injuries during deliverance for a mentally ill man in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State on Sunday.

The pastor was said to be conducting a deliverance session on the mentally ill man when he picked a cutlass from the altar and macheted the victim.

According to The PUNCH, a source in the church narrated the incident saying, “The man of God claimed he could heal the mad man and started praying. As the prayers were ongoing, the man during a struggle with the pastor and other members of the church picked up a cutlass from the altar and matcheted one of the worshippers.

“The mentally ill man was later taken to a hospital for psychiatric evaluation while the victim was rushed to a hospital where he was said to be responding to treatment,” he added.

According to the news outlet, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, saying the mentally ill man had been taken to the hospital for psychiatric evaluation and medication and his relatives invited for interrogation.

The spokesperson said, “Anambra Police today 14/1/2024 arrested the owner of a church in Obosi where an insane man picked a cutlass and gave a deep cut to a member of the church during deliverance service.

“Meanwhile, the victim has been taken to a hospital and he is currently responding to treatment. Preliminary information revealed that the man of God claimed he could heal the madman and started praying.

“As the prayers were ongoing, the mentally ill man in a struggle with the pastor and other members/witnesses picked up a cutlass from the altar and wounded one of the members.

“Furthermore, the suspected unsound mind has been taken to the hospital for psychiatric evaluation and medication, and his relatives are under interrogation in safe custody. Further details shall be communicated, please.”