Bishop Oyedepo Condemns Worsening Insecurity, Declares 7 Days National Prayer

Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, has strongly criticised the escalating violence, killings, and abductions across the country, warning that Nigeria will not succumb to forces attempting to undermine its unity or religious freedom.

The cleric made the remarks on Sunday during the 4th Pre-Shiloh Encounter Service at the Faith Tabernacle, where he lamented the continuous assault on citizens, including attacks on places of worship.

Oyedepo, visibly disturbed by the spate of bloodshed, insisted that the nation must not allow insecurity to erode its foundations.

He declared that the Christian faith in Nigeria remains unshakeable despite ongoing threats.

“The Church in this country cannot be destroyed,” he told the congregation. “No agenda to turn Nigeria into an Islamic state will ever stand. Evil may rise, but it will not prevail. Those behind these violent acts are already losing ground.”

He condemned both the attackers and alleged financiers of the growing insecurity, invoking judgement on those responsible for the atrocities. Referring to recent incidents, he said the nation could not continue watching helplessly as innocent people were killed or taken away by criminals.

“People were gunned down in a church only last week. Over 30 kidnapped victims remain unaccounted for, and kidnappers are demanding impossible sums from struggling rural communities,” he said. “Everyone involved in this carnage, along with their backers, is placed under divine judgement today.”

Describing kidnapping as an expanding enterprise that targets vulnerable communities, Oyedepo expressed dismay that criminal gangs now demand exorbitant ransoms from families barely able to survive.

In response to the worsening situation, he announced a seven-day national prayer chain, beginning at midnight, urging Christians across Nigeria to join in seeking divine intervention. “When this Church lifts its voice, heaven responds,” he said. “Everyone filled with the Holy Ghost should commit to praying fervently in the spirit. As we pray, we unleash heavenly forces. There will be divine reactions.”

The bishop emphasised that spiritual action was necessary at a time when the nation is facing increasing pressure from criminal networks and extremist threats, insisting that Nigeria would overcome its current security challenges.