How I almost lost my life – Pastor Adeboye recounts encounter with death
How I almost lost my life – Pastor Adeboye recounts encounter with death
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has recounted how he narrowly escaped death seven years ago during one of the church’s evangelism programs.
He shared the testimony of God’s grace and mercy in his life at the annual Special Holy Ghost Service, themed “Joy Unspeakable”.
Adeboye narrated how he fell critically ill due to terrible road conditions and was forced to spend Christmas Day in bed for the first time in his life.
He said his condition was so severe that he had to be airlifted from Ilesha to the camp, but local miscreants attempted to prevent the helicopter from taking off, damaging one of the windows in the process.
Despite this harrowing experience, Adeboye expressed his gratitude for God’s benevolence towards him and the ministry.
He attributed his survival to God’s grace and encouraged his congregation to thank God for sparing his life.
He said: “Seven years ago, during this same program, my body broke down completely due to the terrible road conditions. For the first time in my life, I spent Christmas Day in bed. The devil was certain he had finally got me. I collapsed in Ilesha, and to bring me back to the camp, we had to charter a helicopter. I was too weak to travel by road—if I had, I would not have made it.
“They clung to the helicopter, and in the process, one of the windows got torn. But by God’s grace, I managed to reach the camp. I had an assurance that if only I could get to the camp, I would recover. Seven years later, I am still here! I want you to thank God for sparing my life. Please, praise Him for me—give Him glory, honor, and adoration!”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 19-year-old victim was allegedly killed by a stray bullet from the gun-wielding operative, whose identity has yet to be disclosed.
The command’s Spokesperson, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the tragic incident to newsmen on Sunday in Asaba.
Edafe said that the suspect had been caught and presently in police custody.
“Yes, the unfortunate incident is confirmed and we are investigating to unravel the circumstances behind the shooting.
“When the police are through with their investigations, we will update you with the necessary information,” he said.
Eye-witness account said that the deceased was hit by a bullet allegedly fired by the suspect, who was shooting sporadically along with his colleagues, after they returned from a burial in Agbor.
The account further said that the deceased, who worked in a patent medicine store on the ground floor of the building housing the anti-cult office, was hit in the hand and part of her stomach.
“Usually, whenever they went out for a burial or any celebration and come back, they will start shooting to herald their return.
“So, that Saturday, at about 6.30pm when they returned and began to shoot, the deceased and her colleague, who were outside, started running back to their store for safety.
“Unfortunately, she was hit on her hand and part of her stomach,” the account added.
It was further learnt that the suspect quickly carried the girl into their vehicle and she was rushed to the Delta State Specialist Hospital, near Midwifery, Okpanam, where she later gave up the ghost around 7.30pm.
Meanwhile, a member of the bereaved family, Dr Christopher Nwayalani, has expressed deep grief over the tragic death of his niece and called for justice.
“Our family is in deep shock over the tragic incident.
“Normally, as a Sabbatharian, she always did not go to work on Saturdays.
“However, on that Saturday, she merely went to a salon near her workplace to make her hair but since the hair dresser did not open, she decided to keep her colleague company.
“That was how she met her death. All the family wants is justice for her.
“Her life was cut short by the recklessness of an excited operative, so we will not want her killing to be swept under the carpet.
“We have made attempts to see the authorities at the anti-cult outfit but nobody is willing to see us,” Nwayalani said.
In a similar vein, a Delta-based rights activist, Mr Victor Ojei, who is the lead activist of the Young Nigeria Rights Organisation, has also demanded justice for the deceased.
“The late nurse should get justice. There is nothing like accidental discharge, a gun has a safety pin.
“You only cock your gun when you are faced with a threat, else you ensure it is on safety lock.
“It is criminal offence. The actions of the anti-cult member resulting in the death of the nurse in Okpanam can indeed constitute criminal liability.
“The term, accidental discharge, does not absolve an individual from responsibility, especially when negligence or recklessness is involved,” Ojei said.
News
BREAKING,27 Pro Wike Lawmakers react to Gov Fubara’s invitation for crucial meeting
BREAKING,27 Pro Wike Lawmakers react to Gov Fubara’s invitation for crucial meeting
The pro Nyesom Wike-led Rivers State House of Assembly, has asked Governor Siminalayi Fubara to channel his invitation to the members properly and not through social media.
The reaction followed the invitation to the Assembly to a meeting with the governor at the Government House, on Monday (today).
Fubara, through the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, said the meeting, scheduled for 10 am, was expected to address key issues, including the provision of sitting space for the Assembly, payment of outstanding allowances, and the presentation of the 2025 budget.
The 27 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to the former governor, Nyesom Wike, may, however, reject the invitation except their condition is met by the governor.
One of the lawmakers, Isaiah Opuende who represents Akuku-Toru Constituency 2, blasted the governor for inviting the Assembly members via social media.
Opuende urged the governor to communicate with them appropriately, adding that it was surprising that Fubara would call them after he had told them at several fora to “dey their dey.”
He stated, “It is time for us to determine our dey. When the ‘dey your dey’ started, our principal said the time for our own ‘dey your dey’ will come. Now, our ‘dey your dey’ has come.
“Dey your dey make we dey our dey. How can you wire a letter and post it on social media and expect us to honour it? You know we are not kids. The governor should properly write to the Assembly. That’s all. Thank you.”
Similarly, some former local government chairmen who served during the tenure of Wike were also seen in a viral video, singing and mocking Fubara over the invitation extended to the Assembly members.
A former chairman of Ikwerre LG, Dr Samuel Nwanosike, with scores of other dancing and singing in a mocking manner, asked the governor not to disturb the Speaker, Amaewhule.
They sang repeatedly, “Dey your dey, make I dey my dey, dey your dey, nobody worry Amaewhule.”
Following the Supreme Court judgment affirming their legitimacy, the lawmakers, in their first sitting, urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget. They also demanded that he submit nominees for commissioner and other appointments, insisting that those currently serving in the cabinet lacked legal backing.
Additionally, they summoned the chairman and commissioners of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission to appear before them on Monday.
However, the requests were ignored, as Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, stated that the government was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment before taking action.
The CTC was eventually released on Thursday evening and widely published in national dailies on Friday.
In a bid to establish a relationship and woo the lawmakers, the SSG, Danagogo, wrote a letter addressed to the Speaker, Amaewhule, on Sunday, titled, “Meeting between the Governor of the Rivers State and the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Danagogo stated in the letter that the meeting became necessary following the governor’s receipt of the CTC of the Supreme Court judgment.
The letter said the discussion would centre on the provision of a space for the lawmakers to be sitting, presentation of the 2025 budget, among others.
The statement read, “I hereby write in furtherance of His Excellency’s promise stated in my letter dated 5 March 2025 to notify you that His Excellency has received the Supreme Court judgment, and has, therefore, directed me to invite you and your colleagues – the honourable members of Rivers State House of Assembly, to a meeting to discuss:
“Provision of a befitting space for the Assembly’s sittings, payment of all outstanding remuneration or allowances of the Honourable members;
“Presentation of budget and sundry matters. Any other matter(s), as may be necessary, to chart the way forward in the best interest of the state.
“Sequel to the above, I hereby humbly invite the Rt. Hon. Speaker, and all the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to a meeting with the Governor as follows”
The invitation of the lawmakers by the governor came as the 72-hour ultimatum given to the RSIEC chairman to appear before the House expires today.
Amaewhule had, during plenary on Friday, said the Assembly had taken legislative notice of Fubara’s failure to forward names of his commissioner nominees to the House for screening.
Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Johnson, failed as his mobile line was not connecting as of the time of filing this report.
News
My State is out of bounds to criminals – Command CP warns
My State is out of bounds to criminals – Command CP warns
The Commissioner of Police (C} in Ondo State, Wilfred Afolabi, has warned kidnappers and other criminal elements to steer clear of the state.
Afolabi gave the warning on Sunday in Akure during an interactive session organised by the state Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), tagged: “The Platform”.
He said series of operations had been carried out in different parts of the state, while some kidnappers were arrested and victims rescued since he assumed office.
The CP said that efforts made so far by the command, in terms of relationship with the people, had started to yield positive results.
According to him, the People Safety Partnership initiative I introduced when I assumed duty in the state a couple of months ago, is already paying off.
He explained the initiative was especially effective with residents of violence-prone communities on intelligence gathering.
The CP, therefore, called on the residents to immediately contact the police whenever they suspected any strange faces and suspicious movements in their areas.
He, however, said the command needed assistance from government and other stakeholders in the state, in terms of provision of patrol vans and repair of grounded patrol vehicles.
According to Afolabi, the provision of more vehicles will ensure the timely and effective response to distress calls.
“We can’t use orthodox methods to address present security challenges. Most of our vehicles are grounded. The refurbishing are ongoing through the financial assistance of the people.
“We need Military drones that can go 50km, live tracking devices to get the location where criminals are hiding, Lawful Intersection (LI), fueling of vehicles among others.
“Now, kidnapping has gone highly sophisticated and you can confirm from anybody.
“We can’t use the same old method, or maybe the approach of the 70s or the 80s or even the 90s to address this present security challenges.
“In a lot of states where they are having successes and breakthroughs, they have hi-tech machines, drones, LI machines, live tracking, but here, we don’t have them.
“So, most times, whenever there is any incident of kidnapping, you deploy your men to comb the bushes. That is archaic and you hardly can achieve much success,” he said.
Afolabi further disclosed that the successes he had achieved was as a result of the synergy with other sister security agencies in the state.
The CP also said that the command, under his watch had trained various investigative personnel periodically, whicb would enable continuous achievement of the needed results.(NAN)