Osun Bishop Fatally Stabbed While Intervening in Marital Dispute

Bishop Shina Olaribigbe

In a tragic incident in Osogbo, Osun State, Bishop Shina Olaribigbe of Rapture Empowerment International was fatally stabbed in the early hours of Thursday while attempting to mediate in a marital altercation.

The couple at the center of the discord remains unidentified, but sources revealed that the woman, a congregant of Bishop Olaribigbe’s church and an interpreter there, had been estranged from her husband due to a history of recurring disputes. Although legally married, the couple had chosen to live separately due to their tumultuous relationship.

The exact trigger of the latest confrontation remains unclear. However, it is reported that Bishop Olaribigbe, known for his consistent efforts to mediate their conflicts, was present at the wife’s residence when the estranged husband arrived unexpectedly. Enraged upon finding the Bishop there, the husband allegedly attacked him with a knife, fatally stabbing him in the chest.

A source, seeking anonymity, disclosed to reporters, “The husband acted in a fit of fury, believing the Bishop's presence was inappropriate. Bishop Olaribigbe had visited to check on the woman, who had been unwell for some time.”

Following the incident, both the husband and wife were taken into custody by the Dugbe Police Division in Osogbo. The Bishop’s remains have since been transferred to the morgue at the UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital.

The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the grim development. Opalola stated, “The couple was not cohabiting but had not undergone a formal separation. Bishop Olaribigbe often mediated in their disputes.

“We have been informed that the pastor was at the woman’s residence when her estranged husband arrived. The husband, acting on suspicion and anger, stabbed the pastor multiple times, leading to his death. Preliminary accounts suggest the man suspected an inappropriate relationship between the pastor and his wife.”

The incident has left the community and the Bishop’s congregants in profound shock and mourning. Many took to his Facebook page to express their grief and share tributes, highlighting his dedication to peace and reconciliation.

The tragic loss of Bishop Shina Olaribigbe underscores the risks borne by peacemakers in volatile situations, leaving a void in his community that will be deeply felt.