By Patrick Idowu
Bishop Shina Olaribigbe, founder of Rapture Empowerment International in Osogbo, Osun State, was fatally stabbed on Thursday morning while attempting to mediate a domestic dispute between a couple.
Details about the couple remain unclear, but sources indicate that the wife served as an interpreter at Bishop Olaribigbe’s church and that the couple had a history of conflicts, living separately despite not being legally divorced.
The bishop had visited the wife, who was reportedly ill, when her estranged husband arrived at the residence.
In a fit of rage, he accused the bishop of inappropriate behavior, which escalated into a heated argument.
The husband then allegedly stabbed Bishop Olaribigbe in the chest, resulting in his immediate death.
A source close to the church confirmed the incident, stating, “The pastor died on the spot after being stabbed.”
Following the attack, both the husband and wife were arrested and are currently detained at the Dugbe Police Division in Osogbo.
The bishop’s body has been taken to the morgue at the University of Osun Teaching Hospital.
Osun State Police Command Public Relations Officer Yemisi Opalola confirmed the incident, stating, “The couple was estranged but not legally divorced. The pastor often mediated their disputes, and he was at the wife’s residence when the husband arrived and allegedly stabbed him multiple times.”
Investigations are ongoing, with suspicions that the husband may have believed the bishop was involved with his wife.
