The Chief Security Officer of Faith Miracle International Church (FMIC), retired Major Victor Giwa, has assured congregants and visitors that their safety is guaranteed at the FMIC City beside Gurumalahji Village along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Commenting on the security measures, retired Major Giwa said security had been deployed to the FMIC City following the attack. The Divisional Police Officer of the Toll Gate Division, CSP Ishola Rotimi, was also seen with his men patrolling the FMIC City and its environs as part of efforts to strengthen security and protect worshippers, workers and visitors.
Major Giwa gave the assurance on Thursday following a gun attack at the FMIC City on Monday, during which armed men reportedly invaded the church premises, assaulted a security guard, destroyed property and set some items ablaze.
He said “ No arrest has been made so far but the security is beefed up. Soldiers have been deployed to FMIC City abs and there is nothing to fear or worry about. The relevant authorities have been deployed to F,Mic city
When our correspondents visited the FMIC City on Thursday, they were informed that about 15 men wearing face masks had arrived in a Sienna vehicle and allegedly forced their way into the church premises.
The attackers were said to be carrying AK-47 rifles. They allegedly attempted to pull down the entrance gate, destroyed chairs, tables and other church property, and later set some of the items ablaze.
The assailants reportedly beat the security guard and demanded to know the whereabouts of the senior prophet. They were also said to have fired shots at a poster bearing the image of Senior Prophet G.F. David.
The church described the incident as more than an attack on property, saying the shooting at the portrait appeared to constitute a personal warning and a direct threat to the life of the General Overseer. The incident also reportedly endangered workers, worshippers and visitors at the premises.
According to a statement issued by the church, the latest incident was the second physical attack on the church.
During the first incident, the church alleged that attackers burned pepper and released what was suspected to be a chemical irritant into the atmosphere, endangering people present on the premises.
In the latest attack, the armed men allegedly assaulted and chased away church workers before burning tents and chairs and destroying tables, the entrance gate and other church property.
Photographs released by the church reportedly showed several bullet holes across the portrait of Senior Prophet G.F. David. The church said the damage and the reported shooting had heightened concerns over the safety of the General Overseer, his family, church workers and worshippers.
Peaceful Protest
Following the incident, Senior Prophet G.F. David led a peaceful protest to the Oyo State Police Command in Eleyele, Ibadan, on Monday.
However, the prophet and members of his team were reportedly not allowed to enter the command. Police officers stationed at the gate allegedly shut them out, preventing the delegation from presenting its concerns directly to the command authorities.
The church said the protest was intended to draw attention to the alleged attacks, the destruction of property and the reported threat to the life of the General Overseer.
Who is Senior Prophet G.F. David?
Senior Prophet G.F. David is the General Overseer of Faith Miracle International Church (FMIC), a Christian ministry based in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Over the years, he has built a reputation among members and followers of the church for a ministry centred on prayer, healing and deliverance. The church says many people who come to FMIC seeking spiritual and physical assistance have received prayers and ministry from the General Overseer without being charged.
According to the church, Senior Prophet G.F. David has consistently offered healing and deliverance ministrations free of charge, particularly to people who cannot afford to seek help elsewhere.
The church presents his ministry as one focused on helping people facing various challenges through prayer, counselling and spiritual ministrations. Testimonials from worshippers and beneficiaries have reportedly contributed to his following in Ibadan and beyond.
The claims of miraculous healing and deliverance are matters of religious belief and personal testimony and have not been independently verified.
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Security Beefed Up
Reacting to the incident, Major Giwa condemned the attack and assured members of the congregation, visitors and residents around the FMIC City that their safety was being prioritised.
Major Giwa said security had been strengthened within and around the church premises following the reported attack.
“We have beefed up security in and around the church premises. At the moment, soldiers have been deployed to the FMIC City and they will ensure that nobody is hurt. There is no cause for alarm,” he said.
He condemned the alleged attack on the church and the reported threat to the life of Senior Prophet G.F. David, adding that security personnel were working to prevent a recurrence.
It was also gathered that soldiers had been deployed to the FMIC City to support the existing security arrangements and protect worshippers, workers, visitors and members of the prophet’s family.
In addition, police officers from the Toll Gate Division in Ibadan, led by the Divisional Police Officer, were seen patrolling the FMIC City. Their presence was said to be part of efforts to reassure members of the church and monitor the area following the reported attack.
The increased security presence is aimed at preventing further incidents and ensuring the safety of everyone connected with the premises.
Members, Visitors React
Members of the church and some visitors who reacted to the incident expressed shock and concern over the reported attack.
Some described Senior Prophet G.F. David as a true man of God and condemned what they regarded as an attack on a Christian ministry dedicated to helping people through prayer, healing and deliverance.
They urged Christians and church leaders to unite against violence and called on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to intervene by engaging the appropriate authorities and drawing attention to the security concerns surrounding the church.
The members also appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, to deploy adequate personnel and resources to Ibadan to assist in investigating the incident and identifying those responsible.
They said the alleged attack should not be treated as an ordinary case of destruction of property, particularly because of the reported shots fired at the portrait of the General Overseer and the alleged threats to his life.
Some visitors also called for improved surveillance, regular police patrols and the installation of additional security equipment around the church premises.
Police Reaction Awaited
The church has called on the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to urgently investigate the incident, identify those responsible and take steps to protect the lives of Senior Prophet G.F. David, his family, church workers, worshippers and other people connected with the premises.
Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to obtain the reaction of the spokesperson of the Oyo State Police Command to the reported attack.
As of the time of filing this report, the identity of the alleged attackers and their motive had not been established publicly.
The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the reported use of firearms, the destruction of church property, the alleged assault on the security guard and the shooting at the portrait of Senior Prophet G.F. David, will require investigation and confirmation by the relevant security authorities.
The church stressed that it was not seeking retaliation but protection and justice, urging the authorities to act decisively before further attacks result in the loss of lives.
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