Until recently, many states in Nigeria bedeviled by banditry had treated the crisis as a local affair or familiar security risk. The death toll on a daily basis across the nation makes more people shiver and quiver. This situation will only get worse if the government doesn’t do something right now to nip it in the bud. It all started as conflicts between farmers and cattle herders but has snowballed into terrorism. In my Article; “Herdsmen versus Heads of Men: Benue State today and ‘X’ Tomorrow” I had lamented over this dreadful puff. Link (https://witnessline.org/2021/04/29/herdsmen-versus-heads-of-men-benue-state-today-and-x-tomorrow/)
Without further debates and politicking the government dares this war and identifies her fighters as bandits. Banditry is a type of organized crime committed by outlaws typically involving the threat or use of violence. A person who engages in banditry is known as a bandit and primarily commits crimes such as extortion, robbery, and murder, either as an individual or as groups. It’s clear that all along we have been dealing with bandits. All that happened on our high ways and low ways were manifestations of their agenda.
It is on record that Bandits shot down an air force jet. Again, it is on record that from January to August 2021, over 1000 children were abducted in Nigeria, with so many of them still in the hands of their abductors. Bandits habitually blocked roads across the nation to rob and kidnap travelers. Many Nigerians have suffered in this regard; students lives are presently under treat in the North. This battle has further collapsed the healthy face of any state in the north and across the nation. No one travels with the certainty of arrival. Oftentimes tears are given for bread by travelers. To live in Nigeria is to be at the verge of the grave. All hopes in this regard are swallowed by a president who knows nothing about the severity and brutality in the nation.
The pains thus far are seen in our economy that is degenerating by the day; it is even more obvious in the failed military arsenals. Again, many have become bandits in the way corruption erupts our values; internets bandits continue to torment the internet security of many; banks are brought under treat in this regard; bandits in education are worse off; they fail to teach; readily take bribe and celebrate dullards. Bandits in government honour and celebrate criminals.
Worst of all are pastoral bandits; these are men and women on the pulpits who have taking to their pulpits to destroy more soul rather than work for their salvation. Like rural and urban bandits they have come to kill, steal, and destroy. They preach lies; brainwash their members; hypnotize them; victimize and exploit them. Their victims are usually solution-seekers; these victims are exploited financially, materially, and spiritually. Why will a man go to hell for being a football fan? What has Indomie got to do with salvation? Why on earth will a preacher regard a tall man as Lucifer’s brother? What has small breast and big butt got to do with salvation? Why will Imo state girls go to hell?
In case you have not heard; the year 2020 saw the emergence and fame of a controversial preacher and ‘cleric’ Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, widely known as Prophet Odumeje (Liquid mental, fighter and Indaboski). As if it was the end of these entertainers, this preacher gradually left the might of the social media. But here comes, the shocker of the season; in 2021, a female Evangelist, Funmilayo Adebayo AKA Mummy G O, came into the spotlight and highlight, she stepped into this fame with stories of her reincarnation; controversial sermons; shocking prophesies and as well as the Sine qua non or if you like the ‘terms and conditions’ to make heaven. Many are posting her clips without consideration to the body of Christ. She makes mockery of all that is doctrinal and gives verdict as the Commander in Chief of Heaven. These pastoral bandit’s sermons are horrible and nasty not didactic. But she has followers who are left at her mercy. She speaks with so much confidence and her followers listen with keen attention. In Luke 6:39 Jesus asked; “Can the blind guide the blind? shall they not both fall into a pit?” Little wonder she preaches hell.
The drama in the name of Jesus Christ today is a serious humiliation. Comedians on pulpits further humiliate the sacredness of the Gospel. In all these we are laughing and catching fun. We are dying but we are catching fun; we are losing souls to these pastoral bandits yet we do nothing about it. Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is in a deep sleep while souls are rushing into the wrong hands. The security personnel are recounting unseen victories while bandits celebrate our ineffectiveness. Pastors are competing over seating capacity while the conversion capacity is very poor.
Arise, O Compatriot, it’s time for civil disobedience in order to reinstall the sweet memory of this nation. Arise Christians the night is far gone. Wake up Children of light, do not allow these bandits to prevail over the true shepherds. Do not celebrate their satanic strategies. Daniel 11:32 makes us to understand that those who know their God shall do exploit. If Christians do not know their God; more ‘Mummy G Os’ will exploit them. Again, if Christians do not rise against these pastoral bandits we shall further contribute to the destruction of many souls and encourage future atheistic believes. Hell is real but Mummy G O judgments are wrong. Just as Buhari does not know the actual state of Nigerians so Mummy G O does not know what Christianity is about. Most of these houses named after Christ, are not churches please be careful!
#witnessline
Fr. Daniel Evbotokhai
