The Faith and Miracle International Church (FMIC) has raised the alarm over an alleged arson and armed attack on its members and workers at the church’s new site, Faith and Miracle City, located beside the Guru Maharaji Village along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, opposite Odo Ona Keke, Ibadan.
The church alleged that the incident occurred on Sunday night, September 20, 2026, when suspected armed men invaded the site, allegedly shooting at people, beating workers and setting some property on fire.
Following the incident, the Founder and General Overseer of FMIC, Prophet G.F. David, on Monday afternoon led a crowd of church members from the church headquarters in Alalubosa to the Eleyele Police Headquarters in Ibadan to protest the alleged attack.
The protesters, who braved the heavy rain, carried placards with various inscriptions calling for freedom and condemning what they described as an inhuman attack on members and workers at the church’s new site.
Speaking during the protest, Prophet David alleged that the church had been subjected to repeated attacks by Guru Maharaji and his disciples since the commencement of activities at the new site.
He said the church had previously reported an alleged incident in which pepper was reportedly released into its premises, adding that the matter was taken to court rather than being handled through physical confrontation.
According to him, the situation escalated on Sunday night when, he alleged, armed men were brought to the site and began shooting, assaulting workers and setting church property ablaze.
Prophet David further alleged that his life was being threatened, claiming that some of the attackers displayed an AK-47 rifle and allegedly shot at his photograph while another firearm was used against people at the scene.
He also alleged that the attackers were asking for his whereabouts, which he said had heightened concerns over his personal safety and that of members of the church.
“Yesterday, Sunday 20th September, 2026 night, the thing entered into a crechendo, they brought gunmen, hired assassins to the land and they started shooting, beating our men and burning down our things and as a matter of fact, my life is under a threat as they show AK47, shooting at my picture, as well as using pump action gun on people, asking of my location to attack me.”
“We are in a country of freedom of religion , freedom of speech, freedom of association, not one man can hinder that. We have written to the Government, nobody is saying anything, it seems like he’s untouchable, but we are here to prove that if he was really untouchable, he’s not supposed to use force as he claims to be God. Prophet G.F David said”
The cleric appealed to the government and security agencies to intervene, stressing that Nigeria guarantees freedom of religion, speech and association to its citizens.
He said the church had written to the government over the matter but expressed concern that no decisive action had been taken to address the situation.
Prophet David called for an end to what he described as religious intolerance and tyranny, urging authorities to ensure that individuals and religious groups were allowed to coexist peacefully within the law.
“We are here saying that this must stop! Tyranny should not be allowed, religious intolerance should not be allowed, we are in Nigeria, a free nation, a free people, where Muslims, Christians can live in harmony and peace and not allow anybody to disrupt the existence of peace in the city”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the church’s Building Committee, Dr. Yomi Adenuga, alleged that the dispute had been ongoing for some time and accused Guru Maharaji of repeatedly intimidating members of the church.
Adenuga questioned the alleged dispute over the land, saying that anyone with concerns over the church’s activities should seek legal redress rather than resort to violence.
“It didn’t just start today, it’s been a long time that this man has been terrorising us, he claims that he’s God, and he claims that his environment is heaven on earth, does God fight over land? We expect that if he has anything that is not OK with, he should go to the law.”
She alleged that nine men invaded the site with firearms and shot at people before setting the church building and other property on fire, adding that the church was seeking urgent intervention from the government and security agencies.
The church urged the authorities to investigate the incident, protect its members and workers, and take appropriate action based on the findings of the investigation.I can also make it more suitable for Radio Nigeria broadcast style, with a sharper lead and shorter sentences for on-air delivery.
Satguru Maharaj Ji had earlier raised an alarm over an alleged attempt by land grabbers to take over part of his property acquired from the Aladorin family for the establishment of the Centre for Conflict Resolution. He said the matter had earlier been petitioned to the Oyo State Government and taken before the Anti-Land Grabbers Commission, where, according to him, the Aladorin family challenged the claims of those who allegedly sold a portion of the property, described as a “No Go Area” used for agricultural activities, to a church.
He alleged that security personnel were deployed during an attempt to access the disputed land, resulting in violence against members of his community, while the dispute is now before the court.
Maharaj Ji further alleged that the pastor involved had made threats against him and referenced a forthcoming “Wetie Crusade,” scheduled from September 17 to the end of the month. Expressing concern over the use of the term “Wetie,” which is historically associated with political violence during Nigeria’s Western Region crisis of the 1960s, he urged authorities and stakeholders to ensure that nothing threatens peace in Ibadan and Oyo State, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He described himself as a peace-loving and law-abiding citizen, citing decades of humanitarian support to motorists and residents, and appealed for the peaceful resolution of the land dispute.
