A Nigerian cleric has ignited widespread debate after urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to arrest leading Christian pastors across the country — including Pastor Enoch Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and Bishop David Oyedepo of Living Faith Church.
Speaking in Yoruba during a sermon, the cleric claimed that Nigeria’s persistent crises are partly due to pastors failing to unite in intense intercessory prayers for the nation.
In the viral footage, he proposed that all pastors — himself included — should be rounded up and taken to Eagle Square in Abuja under military watch.
He argued that creating a tense and controlled environment would force religious leaders to pray fervently for Nigeria’s transformation.
According to him, he should be used as an example to the rest:
“Arrest every one of us — Adeboye, Oyedepo, all pastors, including me. Take us to Eagle Square with soldiers. Shoot me first and warn others that if they refuse to pray for Nigeria’s healing, they will face the same thing,” he declared.
He insisted that only such an extreme approach would compel pastors to take spiritual responsibility for the country’s political, economic and security challenges.
The comments have sparked mixed reactions across social media. Some users dismissed his message as humorous or outlandish, while others argued that Nigeria’s issues require leadership and policy solutions — not enforced prayer.
Reactions included:
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Vasco: “So pastors are Nigeria’s problem? This isn’t funny at all.”
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Otunba: “This is rubbish. Prayer isn’t Nigeria’s problem — bad leaders are.”
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Edunjobi: “So they should use you as the scapegoat first?”
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Akal: “Watch some of them deny they’re pastors.”
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Obafemi: “This man must be high on something.”
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Beauty Brand: “This man should just do comedy — I’ll subscribe!”
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McJob: “Pastors go begin deny calling now.”
The video has sparked conversations about the role of religious leaders in addressing Nigeria’s growing insecurity.
Do you think his suggestion would make any difference?
