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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Conflict & Security

VIDEO: Oyedepo condemns killings, says ‘I’ll pray against killers, not for them’

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Bishop David Oyedepo condemned recent killings in Nigeria, vowing to pray against perpetrators rather than for them.
  • He described the attackers and their alleged sponsors as "destructive agents" facing divine judgment.
  • Oyedepo questioned the government's silence on the violence and alleged that the attackers are being sponsored.

Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, has strongly condemned the recent wave of killings across Nigeria. Speaking during a church service, Oyedepo declared that he would direct his prayers against those responsible for the violence, rather than offering prayers for them.

Woe to all destructive agents in Nigeria. Whether in power or out of power, judgement has finally come.

— Bishop David OyedepoOyedepo condemned the perpetrators of recent killings.

The cleric's remarks followed a July 27 attack where gunmen reportedly killed at least 30 people, including women and children, in Kaduna. Oyedepo labeled the perpetrators and their alleged financiers as "destructive agents" who will face divine judgment. "Woe to all destructive agents in Nigeria. Whether in power or out of power, judgement has finally come," he stated.

You can’t slaughter members of my family and want me to pray for you. I pray against you, against your household, against your generation, in the name of Jesus.

— Bishop David OyedepoOyedepo explained his stance on praying for the attackers.

Oyedepo rejected calls for prayers on behalf of the attackers, emphasizing his personal connection to the victims. "You can’t slaughter members of my family and want me to pray for you. I pray against you, against your household, against your generation, in the name of Jesus," he declared. He further alleged that the violence is being sponsored, noting, "Everybody knows that these wicked people are being sponsored. Anyone who doesn’t know that, that’s a problem."

Everybody knows that these wicked people are being sponsored. Anyone who doesn’t know that, that’s a problem.

— Bishop David OyedepoOyedepo alleged that the attackers are being financed.

The bishop also voiced concern over the government's perceived silence regarding the persistent killings, stating he had not heard an official condemnation of the latest attack. "You mean they kill people every day and government is pretending not to know what to do?" he questioned. Oyedepo proclaimed that divine justice is imminent, stating, "When you see God keep quiet at the wickedness of the wicked, it’s because the bubble is about to burst." He added, "I have long held my peace… but now I will rise, like a wounded lion, and I will devour at once."

You mean they kill people every day and government is pretending not to know what to do?

— Bishop David OyedepoOyedepo questioned the government's response to the ongoing violence.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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