A viral video posted on TikTok has shown a man identified as Pastor Oloruntimilehin Daramola urging his congregation to “get fortified” for protection against attacks.
The clip, which was posted on a TikTok page that appeared to be his, @kingbosoro, on Monday, shows the man dressed in a purple robe and cap, with a cross chain around his neck.
As of press time, independent verification of the pastor’s identity, the authenticity of the TikTok page, and the date the sermon was delivered remained unavailable.
In the footage, the cleric, who introduced himself as the Founder of The Omnipotence Mission of God on his TikTok profile, urged the Federal Government to permit widespread gun ownership among Nigerians.
He said, “You members, go and do something that can protect you, so that if they come with guns to your surroundings, they will face each other and shoot each other.”
He went on to urge them to employ unconventional methods, adding, “Or you should get bees to chase them, or if they are coming to your church, they should be dead before getting there.”
The pastor claimed he could not “be fortified” while his followers remained unprotected. He said, “I am a good shepherd. I cannot be looking while my members are being killed.”
Referencing past attacks, he added that victims who called on Jesus were not spared.
He said, “When they got to Owo, that church, some people shouted the name of Jesus. Jesus had the power to save them, but Jesus said, ‘Until you get to heaven.’ In Kaduna, the churches that they attacked, several of them called on the name of Jesus, but they were still killed. Why? Jesus said, ‘We will meet in heaven.’
He insisted that anyone in his church who refused to take his prescribed protective measures would be expelled from the church.
“Any of my members that I asked to use the charms and he doesn’t use it, I will chase him away because I cannot allow anybody to come and kill my children in my presence… Go and be fortified!!!” he said.
The pastor’s remarks surfaced at a period when communities across the country continue to grapple with recurring security challenges, including attacks on public places, homes, farms, and, in some cases, worship centres.
The PUNCH
