Kidnapping: Church fortifies security agents in Ogbomoso
Foluso BOLAJI
In the wake of increasing incursion of terrorists and bandits into Yorubaland True Worshippers Church (TWC), Amazing Grace Garden, Oke-Anu, Ogbomoso, Sunday, held a special programme to empower security agents – both conventional and unconventional – as they go head-to-head with the criminals.
This is as the valedictory thanksgiving of the 2022 graduating set of an arm of the church, Zoe School, was held as a prelude to the valedictory service/graduation ceremony and commissioning of new school buildings scheduled for Monday, October 3.
Providing the rationale for the event founder and lead pastor, Rev’d Niyi Adebayo, notes on his Facebook wall Saturday, “It’s been some hectic season for security operatives in Nigeria as they battle hard with terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and all that.
“It’s going to get hotter as they begin to provide crucial security coverage for political campaigns between now till general elections are over. Whether they are to blame for increased rate of insecurity in Nigeria or not isn’t the issue here.
“They have spouses, children and dependants too. They need our love and prayers. This Sunday is specifically set apart to bring the gospel of Christ to them as we specially pray with them.
“We invite men of Nigerian police, military, para-military organizations, FRSC, Civil Defence, Amotekun, OPC, Vigilante Group, DSS, FBI, Legion and other uniform organizations to join us at True Worshippers Church, Amazing Grace Garden, Oke-Aanu, Maryland Road, Ogbomoso 9:00am tomorrow, Sunday 02-10-2022. Jesus loves you and so do we!”
In his exhortation, Rev’d. Adebayo gave thanks to God on the independence anniversary of Nigeria, emphasizing “Nigeria might not be where we want it but worse things could have happened, which God prevented thus far.”
Pointing out the array of natural resources God puts in the bowel of Nigeria which he noted are envy of other countries, he urged everyone to work towards making the country a better place.
Also emphasizing the theme of the programme, “Except the Lord builds the house those who build it labour in vain,” culled from Psalm 127, the man of God stated, “In whatever we do, the most important factor, the ultimate factor is the God factor.”
He therefore implored the graduands as well as security agents to make God first in everything they do.
He expressed appreciation to security personnel, asserting they risk their lives a lot to keep us all secure just as he charged them to go with God as they continue working to keep the environment safe.
Special prayers of protection, gallantry and success in the battle against terrorism were held for the security personnel who were invited to the podium.
Rev’d. Joseph Ajibade also prayed for the graduands.
Assistant Corps Commandant Joseph Abioye of the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaire, speaking on behalf of security personnel at the event expressed appreciation to Rev’d. Adebayo for the gesture and remarks and assured they would do their best in securing the communities “and we would make God first in the discharge of our duties.”
Security agencies who had officers present included the Nigerian Police, Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) and the Nigerian Hunters & Forestry Security Services (NHFSS).
Some others are the Nigerian Hunters Council (NHC), Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaire (NLCC) and Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN).
Gifts consisting of food items such as rice, beans, indomie, spaghetti, salt, sachet tomato etc were also distributed to the security personnel in a gesture of eleemosynary.
Speaking with ogbomosoinsightonline.com after the event Commander Rotimi Adigun, Ogbomoso South commander of NHFSS expressed gratitude to the church saying, “This is commendable, it is morale boosting to think that a church will appreciate what we do. Our men will have something to give their wives and children.”
