The Ondo State Police Command on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of a prophetess, Folashade Adekola, following the deaths of a woman, Jumoke Adesuwa, and her newborn during childbirth at the prophetess’ church in Akure, the state capital.
According to reports, Adesuwa had gone into labour at the prophetess’ church located in the Oke-Aro area of Akure, where complications led to her bleeding profusely after delivering the child.
The newborn reportedly died immediately.
The incident came to light after Adesuwa’s brother filed a report with the police, prompting officers to arrest the prophetess.
Ondo State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the arrest in an interview, noting that Adekola had been taken to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for further investigation.
“The case was reported by the deceased’s brother who informed us that his sister died after childbirth in the church. The prophetess is now in custody, and investigations are ongoing,” Odunlami said.
A family source disclosed that the family was first informed of the childbirth by a call from the church, notifying Adesuwa’s husband that his wife had delivered a baby.
The husband, accompanied by a family member, rushed to the church, only to find Adesuwa in critical condition.
“When we arrived, we were told the baby had died during delivery, but the mother was alive.
“However, we found her lying in a pool of her blood, bleeding profusely. We immediately rushed her to a nearby hospital,” the family source recounted.
He continued, “She was rejected by three hospitals due to her severe condition, and tragically, she passed away as the last hospital attempted to revive her.
“When we returned to the church to retrieve the baby’s remains, we found the newborn’s body in a room that was clearly unfit for delivery.”
The family subsequently reported the case at the Oke-Aro Police Station, leading to the prophetess’s arrest.
Adesuwa’s remains have been deposited at a mortuary.