There was uproar at Afero village on Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, as officials of the Lagos State Government demolished a sprawling church, the Pure Fire Miracles Ministries International (PFMI) in a controversial manner.
Lagos Task Force men, accompanied by officials from the Ministry for Physical Planning and Urban Development (MPPUD), stormed the church to enforce an eviction ordered by the government.
The ministry demolished the building over allegation that there was no approval for the construction of the building
The church structures, which officials of the church said had gulped over N100 million, were erected on a 10-acre land and comprised six auditoriums, offices, residential buildings and buildings for other uses.
The church was having its annual convention with worshippers from 12 foreign countries in attendant. The more than 10,000 worshippers that included old and pregnant women, children and men, were said to a have been at a loss on why the building was demolished when the church was holding its convention.
The bulldozers from the taskforce moved in immediately and three of the buildings were brought down before the traditional ruler of Epe, Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun, Chairman of Epe Local Government and other prominent citizens in the community intervened to stop the exercise.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Mr. Toyin Ayinde, alleged that there was no approval for the church building and that notices had been served on the church to vacate the land, claiming that the land fell within the proposed Lekki International Airport and, therefore, could not have been approved for such development.
“We have served them quit notices since 2011 and another one was served on them in November, which they didn’t comply with, said Ayinde, adding that the church officials were being economical with truth.
The church disputed the claims by government that it had no approval, while a document from the legal adviser to the church’s pastor, Enoch Idowu Aminu, Messrs Ibrahim A. Shittu and Co., of Probono Chamber, showed that the land was purchased from Ikujenya Okanlawon Ikuforiji Chieftaincy Family, with the address at 3, Ikujenya Street, Bado Oke, Epe, Lagos State, on 21 May, 2010.
The purchase, according to the cleric, was embarked upon as a result of the information contained in the Lagos State of Nigeria Official Gazette, No. 29, Volume No 27, September 1, 1994.
In page 274 of the gazette, it has as follows: Description- Afero Village: “All that parcel of land in Afero in Eti-Osa Local Government of Lagos State of Nigeria containing approximately area of 28.52 hectares, the boundaries of which are described below,” stated the bearings, length of metres and the co-ordinate measurements, among others, indicated that the land was excised and properly belonged to the original owner(s).
“Besides, we applied for regularisation of land title through Law Title International, the appointed Consultant to the Lagos State Government on Land Regularisation, on which there was no objection.
This was confirmed in the official receipt of payment, dated 23 November, 2011, in the sum of N1.64 million. The church claimed that the government lied by saying that the property fell within the proposed airport as other buildings in the same vicinity were not demolished.
Reacting to the demolition, the worshippers found it disheartening that the demolition was executed amid threats and intimidations by government officials
Pastors Johnson Samuel Ani from Burkina Faso, Tamomo Jose, from Benin Republic, David Amevoi from Ghana, Richmondson Shekesesay, from Sierra Leone, Mawu from Manuzikpi, Togo, all felt that the manner of the demolition was not properly handled.
Ten years old Camerounian girl, Miracle Bosco, was shocked when the building was pulled down, saying, “why is it that police came and destroy the house of God? I am sad because all the money our parents spent here has become a waste. Please, help us to beg the Governor to stop this demolition. God is not happy and I am not happy.”
Chief Isaac Shigbata, a Nigerian born pastor, residing, denounced the manner at which security agents invaded the church without any consideration for the safety of the people.
“What happened on that fateful day was not of any credit to any government. Laws were made for man and not the other way round. No matter what may be the situation, the timing was not only bad, but rather, the action was capable of breaching security. And not at this time that Nigeria, as a country is battling religious extremism in some parts of the country’. According to Pastor David Bangali from Liberia, “Nigeria is a country that many African countries are looking unto for guidance, especially, Lagos State. But activities of security agents last week was not palatable at all.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Fashola destroyed properties than boko haram.
ReplyDeleteThis just shows how powerless an imaginary deity is. It can't even protect buildings constructed in Its honour. The millions of prayers by tens of thousands of worshippers who call themselves Christians, over a period of many years, have all resulted to nothing. An imaginary being cannot answer prayers. In fact, any prayer that results in a positive outcome is mere coincidence.
ReplyDeleteMay God have mercy on u. U have just put ursef in trouble for that statement. Paul in the bible did worse than u, at the end, he realised his mistakes. You are about to be arrested by God. U have no choice rather than to give ur life to Christ. Whether u like it or nor, Jesus is the saviour of the world and its only through Him, u can get to God. Please repent before its too late.
Delete@ onojobi stay with what U believe in,imaginary or not mind what U say so dt u don't incurr d wrath of dt immaginary God
ReplyDeleteA fool says in his heart that there is no God, By wise!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for you, Olusola Martin Ade-Onojobi. This is ignorance of the highest degree. You are calling God an imaginary deity. That shows that you don't even know yourself. Do you think that God is like a human being like you? Do you think that He acts like you? A day will come when you will face His judgement seat. He is waiting for you at your death. It is better you repent now before it is too late. Whatever anybody does now including those who destroyed the Church building will face God's judgement one day.
ReplyDelete@ olusola: U only showed us here that devil is ur grandfather and hell fire is your second home. U better repent b4 d wrath of God falls on u! Be warned.
ReplyDeleteBlasphemy! Olusola beware. The God I know never changes. No situation can change the fact that He is God and forever will be God. Human Beings are mere tools in His hands; tools of blessing or tools of destruction. Those behind the demolishing of God's house, certianly have God to contend with...
ReplyDeleteI believe the officials who proofread every comment made before publishing watches over this erratic comment this useless fellow has made and posted..Your being alive,is it by your making,if God has provided little thing for you instead of keeping your mouth shut and thank Him you are calling the God that created your grandfather deity,is better you ask for mercy..let me tell you the way God handled Pharaoh..yours will be greater than that,God sited in heaven looking at every creature,a sovereign God...plenteous in mercy,slow to react to situation,even you if God should repay you with your handwork,will you be alive today?
ReplyDeleteWhat about a powerless God people do fight on his behalf?charms and acquisition of magic powers is not sin to him.Isn't it a prove to you that it is an imaginary god?
ReplyDeleteWhat about a powerless God people do fight on his behalf?charms and acquisition of magic powers is not sin to him.Isn't it a prove to you that it is an imaginary god?
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for you and your likes. Well your sorry ignorance is understandable after all, the worshipers did not come to the worship ground with daggars or granades! They did not engaged in violence with the "un-civilized pharaoh's men," And ofcourse., it was not a moslem gathering! You and me know that Lagos state Governor in his life, wouldn't try that nonsense with any islamic worship centre! Not to worry, God don't need any one to tell HIM when and when not to take action! Ask Nebbuchadnazzer!
ReplyDeleteOLUSOLA MARTIN I WILL ADVISE U TO KNEEL DOWN ANY WHERE YOU ARE NOW IN TEARS AND START BEGGING THE ALMIGHTY GOD U HAVE BLASPHEMED TO FORGIVE U OR ELSE I SEE U ENDING UP LIKE ABACHA,NEBUCHADNEZAR,HEROD.HAAMAN AND OTHERS WHO THINK THERE NO GOD
ReplyDeleteYOUR NAME SHOULD HAVE NOT BEEN OLUSOLA BUT ESUSOLA. THE FOOL HAS SAID IN HIS HEART THAT THERE IS NO GOD. YOU SHOULD REPENT NOW BEFORE SUDDEN DESTRUCTION COME UPON YOU WITHOUT REMEDY. GOD IS GRACIOUS AND WILL FORGIVE YOU IF YOU TRULY REPENT AND ASK FOR MERCY. A WORD IS ENOUGH FOR THE WISE.
ReplyDeletei would like to plead with the christian association of Nigeria and the pentecostal fellowship of Nigeria to call the government and the Governor to this issues. pulling down religious structure for whatever interest is not safe. the security and the state official are thinking of the the security implication of this action. this is wrong for our democracy
ReplyDeleteSo America & Obama are imaginary bcos they havnt attacked Libya over embassy trespass &killings.
ReplyDelete