In what has left worshippers and church officials heartbroken, Benita Lurk Ikuenobe, a 41-year-old woman, was discovered lifeless inside the main auditorium of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) Prayer Cityalong the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The incident happened in the early hours of Friday and is being treated as a suspected case of suicide.
It was the Chief Security Officer, Esiere Ekikere, who first received a distress call at around 7:20 a.m.. The message was chilling — an unconscious woman was lying on the floor of the massive auditorium. When Ekikere got there, what he saw would stay with him.
“She was just there… lifeless,” he said, still shaken. Beside her was an empty bottle of what appeared to be Sniper, a toxic insecticide often linked to suicide cases in Nigeria.
A Painful Scene in a Place of Prayer
For many, a church is a place of hope, peace, and healing. That’s what makes Benita’s death even more devastating — she took her last breath in a space meant to offer spiritual comfort. Witnesses say there was no immediate indication of distress before her body was discovered.
The case was quickly reported to the police, who arrived to carry out initial investigations, including taking photographs of the scene. Her body was then taken to the Real Divine Hospital morgue, where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
Unanswered Questions
Not much is known yet about what led Benita to that moment. Was she battling depression? Did she come to Prayer City seeking answers? Did she cry out and no one noticed?
Her death has cast a somber cloud over the worship community and sparked discussions around mental health, especially within religious spaces. It also raises difficult questions: Are churches equipped to notice those silently hurting among them?
Authorities Begin Investigation
Law enforcement officials have now launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding Benita’s death. As they search for answers, one thing is certain — another life has been lost, and too soon.
Those who knew her, or even just saw her that morning, are now left to grieve in silence, wondering what pain she carried into the house of God… and why she never made it out.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, please seek help. You are not alone.
