Residents of Aleto community in Eleme, Rivers State, and members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in the area were thrown into shock and mourning on Friday, October 2, after the officiating minister at a funeral in the community and resident RCCG pastor, Deacon Steve Eyo, suddenly collapsed and was later pronounced dead.
PM News reports that the cleric had attended the funeral and was preaching on the topic, “The Certainty of Death and Hope Beyond.”
Eyewitnesses said the cleric told mourners that death was certain and cannot be avoided, adding that everyone must pass through it. He reportedly likened death to going to the market, explaining that some people leave the market early while others stay until late.
He said in the same way, some people die early while others live longer, adding that death can come when people least expect it.
However, about 15 minutes into his sermon, the cleric suddenly collapsed, with the microphone landing on the floor with a loud sound.
At first, some people thought he was demonstrating how suddenly death can happen because he had just been speaking about death. However, it soon became clear that the situation was serious.
He was quickly taken to the back of the church while the choir and ministers gathered around him and prayed. Some people with medical knowledge also administered first aid.
A medical personnel later said the pastor had stopped breathing. He was then rushed to the nearest hospital in the same ambulance that had been hired to transport the remains of the deceased.
The cleric was confirmed dead at the hospital and his remains were subsequently taken to the mortuary.
