By Editor
Mike Bamiloye, founder of Mount Zion Faith Ministries, says it is unreasonable to expect Enoch Adeboye, the 84-year-old general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), to lead protests against the government.
Bamiloye was responding to criticisms that Adeboye has remained quiet despite the country’s worsening security situation.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Bamiloye, who is also a gospel filmmaker, said although Adeboye had publicly spoken against insecurity and violence, many bloggers chose not to highlight his comments.
The evangelist also criticised those demanding that Adeboye take part in anti-government demonstrations.
“Many bloggers saw this, but they would not project it. But he spoke against the evils,” he wrote.
“And for all those who are expecting an 84-year-old man, servant of God, to lead a protest against a government, this does not make sense by the virtue of his age and by the mandate of his calling.”
Bamiloye also addressed claims that Adeboye protested during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan but has remained silent under President Bola Tinubu.
The claim resurfaced after a photograph of Adeboye leading a public march circulated on social media.
However, RCCG clarified that the image was taken during a nationwide anti-killings walk held in February 2020 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The church said the march followed a directive issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), with churches across the country participating in protests against insecurity.
Bamiloye reiterated the position, saying Adeboye merely complied with the directive from CAN and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN).
“And for all those who said he led a protest against Jonathan, on February 2, 2020, it was the instruction of the CAN and PFN for every church to stage a protest against insecurity in the nation and he complied and led his denomination too, just as some other churches did,” he said.
He noted that the church’s primary responsibility is to pray for the country and seek divine intervention in governance.
“Our major responsibility as the church of God is to continually pray for the peace of our nation and the intervention of God in the government,” he added.
By Editor
Several high-profile terrorist commanders and more than 50 insurgents have been reportedly killed in the Lake Chad region following air strikes conducted by the military under Operation Hadin Kai.
According to military sources cited by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the strikes were carried out on May 31 around the Kirta and Arina Ciki areas.
The publication said the operation targeted known terrorist enclaves and logistical hubs after actionable intelligence revealed insurgent activities in the region.
“Post-strike battle damage assessments indicated that among those neutralised were Khalifa Umar, a prominent member of the terrorists’ Shura Council from Sigir, alongside two other field commanders identified as Abdallah and Abduljalil,” Makama said.
“The sources disclosed that the operation resulted in the elimination of more than 50 terrorists.
“In addition to the loss of key personnel, several logistics facilities, supply depots and life-support structures used by the terrorists were destroyed during the strikes, further degrading their ability to sustain operations across the Lake Chad Basin.”
According to the publication, the sustained aerial offensive has piled significant pressure on insurgent groups, forcing many fighters to abandon their traditional island hideouts for more exposed locations on the mainland.
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Makama said security sources described the overall situation across the theatre as calm but fluid, requiring continued vigilance from troops and security agencies.
“They, however, expressed confidence in the combat readiness, morale and operational effectiveness of troops engaged in the campaign,” Makama said.
“The latest success is expected to further consolidate recent gains recorded by the US-and Nigeria Armed Forces and reinforce ongoing efforts to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.”
