Encomium
-41dead, 130 rescued by Sunday, Sept. 14
+ Exclusive details of how the N700 million building collapsed
The multi-million naira 6-storey building inside the Prophet T.B Joshua led Synagogue Church of All Nations came tumbling down under mysterious circumstances on Friday, September 12, 2014 at precisely 12:44pm killing 17 while 124 people survived, the church claimed.
We reliably gathered that the day began on a suspicious note within the church axis around 8 am when about three helicopters were alleged to have hovered at the personal prayer house of the clergy. Some of his aides and security operatives alerted him of the development. Around11:30am, the same helicopters came to the church premises and were said to have been seen hovering past the building which is the general restaurant for all members and guest house for some visitors. At 11:43am, another one hovered atop it before flying away. Two minutes again at 11:45am, the third one came and did same. The fourth one came precisely at 11:54am and nearly landed atop the building which scared neighbours. Policemen on patrol radioed their headquarters on the mysterious helicopters. Shortly afterward, the building caved in to the last floor trapping about 140 guests and workers. Immediately, the officials of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency were contacted alongside National Emergency Management Agency and Red Cross were contacted to assist the church in rescue operation.
PROPHET T.B JOSHUA’S INITIAL REACTION
Prophet Joshua was in his office attending to spiritual matters when the news reached him. He muttered, ‘God take control’, and quickly mandated his aides to ensure nothing was spared to salvage the situation and work hand in hand with relevant government agencies. He ordered for the CCTV footage and after watching it, he entered his closet to pray, saying such situation demand divine intervention for the crisis to be minimal. That explained why he didn’t attend to people, including the media on Friday.
NUMBER OF CASUALTIES
Contrary to reports that over 50 people died, the Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyitolu told ENCOMIUM Weekly on Saturday, September 13, 2014, that over 120 survived miraculously, while 17 died. “Those we rescued alive were responding to treatment at various general hospitals in Isolo and Igando, and those without injury have been given first aids and back to church.”
We gathered the dead were deposited inside at morgue at the General Hospital, Isolo in Lagos.
But by the evening of Sunday, September 14, 2014, the death toll had risen to 41, while those rescued stood at 130.
WHY IT CRASHED
Lagos State officials, through LASEMA boss on Saturday, September 13, 2014 said, “We will be empirical about it. We are going to conduct detailed investigation. The Ministry of Physical Planning is on ground, the Ministry of Works is on ground, Solid Material Testing Agency is on ground. They will all be empirical about it and we will give you details about what is going on.”
Another official who spoke on condition of anonymity rubbished the report that the building collapsed due to poor materials or pressure, stating that was not their official position. According to him, initial investigation proved that the materials are of high quality and if not for the strong pillars on ground they would not have been able to rescue the survivors. He added that although the survivors have been trapped under the debris for over 24 hours, the pillars kept them from being crushed. He concluded that they had to create holes in several parts of the debris to enable the survivors escape.
THE COLLAPSED BUILDING
ENCOMIUM Weekly’s check revealed that the structure was a six storey building used as accommodation for spill over guests from African countries who sought spiritual assistance. The ground floor is the general restaurant for worshippers where most of the food vendors sell their wares. We gathered that another saving grace was that most of them were dining before the collapse of the structure. However, those mostly affected were artisans working on the last floor.
WORTH OF THE BUILDING
Experts claimed the property was worth over N700million. They said the building was handled by a combination of expatriates and local builders.
CHURCH RESUMED ON SUNDAY
Despite the tragedy, the church was opened as early as 5am for worshippers. Service began around 8am and the overflow was jam-packed. And the 51 year old prophet came in solemnly around 12:43 pm clad in a shirt and black trousers and addressed the church and the world in a live service via Emmanuel TV on satellite.
‘I was the target’- T.B JOSHUA
On Saturday, September 13, 2014, Prophet TB Joshua opened up on the controversy surrounding the collapsed building.
“I have read reports about the collapsed building and decided not to open up initially because from the outset of my ministry, a lot of lies have been told about me which have created controversies. But for my people to believe and be educated, I have decided to do this. First, I want you to know that we have never experienced a collapsed building before in this part of Ikotun. And this is to tell you that we have a good terrain here. Also, as a prophet with international audience, I value life and their safety is my priority.
“Thus, I can never use substandard materials nor compromise standard. I leave the security to do their jobs. No matter how long a lie’s sustained, truth will someday prevail. On Thursday till Friday night, I was in my prayer house praying and came back around 8am to freshen up. I was called that there was an aircraft hovering over the prayer house I just left. Later, I was called upon again that the same strange aircraft is hovering over the building in the church at intervals of three minutes four times before the incident. I’m happy the police confirmed that their men radioed them about the aircraft and I am glad Ngozi Braide (Lagos Police Public Relation Officer) confirmed it when she came here. When some members of Boko Haram were arrested here months back, people claimed it was a gimmick. But I kept quiet until the federal agencies confirmed my story after diligent investigation. About two months ago, this camera (with the shape of a toy plane) came from nowhere hovering over the church building until it was shot down. I won’t want to jeopardise security investigations but they are all details submitted to relevant authorities.”
On why Synagogue? “ I believe it’s because of the spiritual blessings God endowed on us. A big head wears a large hat. If you remember, they would have dropped an Ebola victim here and even reported the false story. They also alleged I sponsored the boiled water and salt solution for Ebola. Here is the mail we got from one Emmanuel Anaje from Kogi state but in Jos who said he was assigned by Boko Haram to bomb this place but couldn’t and that I should pray for him (see the proof of the bomb he sent).
“I informed the appropriate authority because it’s a sensitive issue, and what people failed to know is that such issues can’t be fabricated by us because it’s too sensitive. And we can’t parade such people if it was an arrangee because it’s a live service watched by the world and relevant security agencies. I can tell you authoritatively that this incident that happened on Friday was not targeted at the worshippers but me.
“I am the target. What is the best way to stop this ministry but by removing me or discrediting me. But my time has not yet come. I have not finished my work. Their target was to scare foreign worshippers from attending synagogue but they have failed. It has come and God is on top of the situation. Our God will get back at them. And you will know when He gets back at them.”
On why God allowed it to happen? “I believe God allowed that to happen so we can know how much He has been protecting us from enemies. And to be more grateful to Him for all these years and that it’s not by our power nor might but by God. I salute the martyrs.
– FEMI OYEWALE
