Solomon Diya, a pastor of Living Faith Church in Okuokoko, Delta State’s Uvwie Local Government Area, has reportedly attempted to murder his 17-year-old female housekeeper and is currently on the run.
Favour, a domestic helper, was allegedly assaulted on the head by her boss, Diya, for drinking cassava flakes, also known as garri with can milk.
A church member who did not want to be identified reported the event to newsmen claiming that the pastor and his wife were serial abusers of the home staff for no reason.
Israel Joe, a Warri-based human rights activist, criticised the pastor’s actions, adding that when the situation was brought to his attention, he ordered the girl to be sent to the hospital.
He said:
“Pastor Solomon Diya has allegedly made attempt on the life of his home help on Tuesday, April 5. The issue was reported and we directed that the girl be rushed to the hospital.
“The suspect has been invited by the police in Orerokpe but he’s invading arrest and if by Monday he refused to turn himself up to the police, we shall obtain a warrant of arrest on him. When did using a tin of milk to drink garri constitute an offence of attempting to kill her?
“Can the pastor treat his own children that way if they also use his tin of milk? The mother of the girl arrived from Imo State today and we shall all ventilate our grievances accordingly. All the neighbours have complained how the pastor and his wife keep maltreating this girl. It will happen no more.”
The leadership of Living Faith Church, on the other hand, had pledged to report the suspect to the authorities but had not done so.”
