Encomium
‘It’s hogwash, has no substance’
Mega churches across South West, Nigeria may have beefed up security in their headquarters based on the alleged self confession of a Boko Haram member who claimed he was arrested and their mission thwarted by the spiritual power of Prophet T. B Joshua at Synagogue Church of All Nations on Sunday, March 9, 2014.
Information available to ENCOMIUM Weekly revealed that the issue has caused public uproar. A source revealed that, “At Redemption Camp we don’t leave things to chance again. What if the issue is true? That means for five alleged Boko Horam members assigned to Synagogue, there might be 50 of them assigned to big places of worship. Though we depend on God for security, we are now stricter with security. Strange faces are scrutinised. Cars are now checked properly with bomb detectors. And security agents are now extra alert.”
A source revealed that at David Oyedepo led Cannanland at Idiroko Road, Ota, Ogun State, the fiery bishop held tactical meetings with the security department and a more detailed checking is done at the main entrance. A stranger without meaningful purpose would be turned back and vehicles were properly checked inside out by security agents.
“I can tell you authoritatively that mega churches such as Pastor Chris Oyakhilome led Christ Embassy has beefed up security. Others include Mountain Of Fire and Daystar Church. This is not unconnected to the recent alleged confession by a Boko Haram member at Synagogue Church of All Nation.”
A member of the dreaded Boko Haram sect confessed before Pastor T.B. Joshua of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN) on Sunday, March 9, 2014, revealing how their plan to bomb the popular church in Lagos was truncated.
In a broadcast beamed live via the Christian station, Emmanuel TV, late into the afternoon and a copy of the video in our custody, Joshua announced to the congregation that a young man had a confession to make.
“My name is Mustapha. I come from Yola, Adamawa State. I am a member of Boko Haram. Boko Haram is a cult. We have killed many souls,” he confessed.
Probed further about the process through which he joined Boko Haram, Mustapha explained, “When I joined this cult, they wrote something in Arabic. After writing it, they washed it and I drank it. That was the day I had the mind to kill souls.”
Questioned by Prophet Joshua as to his intention of coming to the church, he said it was his first time in Lagos. “We were five,” he continued. “We dropped at the junction opposite the church. There was a man who sold something opposite the church here. He was selling sweets, soap and cigarettes. I met the man and asked him to help me keep the bag I was carrying. It contained some instruments to destroy people.”
However, Mustapha said the local trader refused to collect the bag. “We decided to eat before going on our mission here. Our plan was to take souls, to destroy at this Synagogue church.”
The Boko Haram member explained that activating the bomb was a matter of joining wires, adding that they had the ability to time the bomb. “We can set it to explode in one or 10 minutes. We planned to set it for five minutes and immediately leave the place. All the souls will go.”
However, whilst eating with his colleagues at a restaurant opposite the church in Ikotun-Egbe, the plot was truncated. “They brought food for us and we were eating. At that place, they had television. We were watching the television and discussing. It was Emmanuel TV I saw you (T.B. Joshua) preaching.”
Mustapha confessed that, “By the time you prayed and laid hands on the screen, it was like you were there with us. As you laid your hands on the screen, you laid your hands on our face. That was when confusion came between us; everybody scattered.”
“Since that day, I wanted to go home but I couldn’t. Any time I lie down, I will be seeing you (T.B. Joshua) in my dream. You are disturbing me. I don’t know what I did to you. The thing is bothering me too much.”
On Tuesday, March 11, 2014, a spokesperson for the ministry confirmed the incident to us. “The things of the spirit is foolishness to the layman. The facts are there and it’s a national issue that can’t be fabricated. Don’t you believe in the power of God?”
However, the Lagos police on Tuesday, March 11, 2014, dispelled the fear of Boko Haram in Lagos until they investigate the facts. The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Umar Manko said, “The confession is hogwash and has no substance, baseless, and that the Lagos state police command has no fact to ascertain its authenticity.”
– FEMI OYEWALE
