How MTN Mast Kills Father During Baby’s Naming Ceremony In Church

A father has died during the christening of his newborn baby on Saturday in Delta State. The sad incident occurred at Okwagbe community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, when a telecommunication mast, belonging to MTN collapsed (not the one pictured) and  killed the baby’s father, Prince Ogbodobiri inside a church, St. Lazarus Christ Church where the event took place.
The deceased who was a member of the church, died at the age of 36, and was survived by two wives and six children.
Not few of the people who were in the church for the event sustained various degrees of injuries including the baby, it was gathered.

It was gathered that the church’s Sabbath mass was on when an early morning downpour suddenly brought the mast crashing on the church building, leaving none dead, but the baby’s father.
Sources said Ogbodobiri hailed from  Okrika community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta state.

An eyewitness told newsmen at the Otu-Jeremi General Hospital after the tragedy that: “It was so sudden and violent. The mast came down hard on the crowded church and a portion fell directly on the man who died instantly.

“The baby for dedication was right in his hands at that moment, but survived with injuries like over 50 other affected victims who have been rushed for medical attention.”

The body of the deceased has been deposited at the mortuary of the Jeremi General Hospital.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Celestina Kalu, however, confirmed the incident.

“Following the stormy rain, the MTN mast erected at Okwagbe Inland collapsed on St. Lazarus Christ Church building, killing one person in the process. The corpse of the young man has been taken to the Otu-Jeremi General Hospital for autopsy. Others have been taken to yet unknown hospitals for treatment. Effort to contact MTN officials is on”, Kalu said in a statement.

April 28, 2014