The Apostolic Faith Church has increased security measures at its services due to the rising insecurity in Nigeria. According to Prof. Joseph Oba Fatoba, a member of the church’s Board of Trustees in West and Central Africa, the church now conducts its services under heavy security guard. This decision was made in response to the unpredictable nature of attacks on religious centers by bandits.
Fatoba stated this during a visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ondo State Council, as part of the Ondo/Ekiti 2025 camp meeting. He expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the country, noting that insecurity affects every citizen, regardless of their religious affiliation. “Insecurity affects everybody, Christians, Muslims, and others. It is now a national issue,” he said.
The church has introduced security personnel to guide its services, particularly on Sundays. Fatoba emphasized that the church wants to prevent any unexpected problems from arising during worship. He attributed the rising insecurity to evil forces, stating that “the devil is behind what is happening.”
To address the issue, the church has begun intensive nationwide prayers, which started two weeks ago. The daily and weekly prayer sessions are open to all Nigerians, and the church hopes that these prayers will help bring an end to the insecurity plaguing the country. Fatoba believes that a national prayer is necessary to rescue the country from its current situation, as other measures have proven inadequate.
The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in Ondo State has commended the church and religious leaders for using prayers to intercede for the nation. The NUJ chairman, Leke Adegbite, noted that the country’s resilience in the face of adversity is due to the prayers of men and women who pray silently for the nation. The church’s initiative is seen as a positive step towards addressing the country’s security challenges, and its call for national prayer is expected to resonate with Nigerians from all walks of life.