Deacon Steve Eyo reportedly collapsed about 15 minutes into his sermon after telling mourners that death could come unexpectedly.

Residents of Aleto community in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, as well as members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in the area, have been thrown into shock and mourning following the sudden death of a pastor during a funeral service.

The deceased cleric, identified as Deacon Steve Eyo, was reportedly officiating at a funeral in the community on Friday, October 2, when he suddenly collapsed while delivering a sermon on the certainty of death.

Eyo, a resident pastor in the community, was preaching on the topic, “The Certainty of Death and Hope Beyond,” when the tragic incident occurred.

According to eyewitnesses, the cleric had been speaking about the inevitability of death and reminding mourners that no one could escape it.

He reportedly likened death to going to the market, explaining that while some people leave the market early, others remain until later.

In the same way, he reportedly told the congregation, some people die young while others live to an old age, stressing that death could come at any time and when it was least expected.

However, about 15 minutes into the sermon, Eyo suddenly collapsed, causing the microphone he was holding to fall to the floor with a loud sound.

The incident initially left some mourners confused, with some reportedly thinking that the cleric was demonstrating his message about the suddenness of death.

It soon became apparent, however, that the collapse was not part of the sermon.

The pastor was immediately moved to the back of the venue as members of the church choir, fellow ministers and other mourners gathered around him and began praying.

Eyewitnesses said individuals with medical knowledge among those present also attempted to administer first aid.

A medical personnel at the scene reportedly later observed that the cleric had stopped breathing.

He was subsequently rushed to the nearest hospital in the same ambulance that had been hired to transport the remains of the deceased whose funeral was being conducted.

However, efforts to save his life were unsuccessful.

Eyo was pronounced dead at the hospital and his remains were subsequently deposited at the mortuary.

His sudden death has left members of the community and the RCCG congregation deeply shaken, particularly because it occurred while he was delivering a sermon centred on the unpredictability and inevitability of death.

The circumstances surrounding his death, including the exact medical cause, were not immediately disclosed.

The incident has also sparked emotional reflections among mourners and residents about the message the cleric had delivered moments before his own sudden collapse.