Department of State Services, DSS has failed in its misconceived attempt to arrest and humiliate Apostle Johnson Suleiman of the Omega Fire Ministries in the early hours of Wednesday in Ado Ekiti, thanks to governor State Ayodele Fayose, who foiled foiled the attempt.
The influential preacher, who had recently told his church members to resist the killings by Fulani herdsmen, was in Ekiti for a two-day crusade, which was attended by Governor Fayose.
The DSS had later trailed him to his hotel after visiting the Government House. But the DSS operatives encountered resistance from the hotel security, who demanded to know what their mission was. On seen what was going on, Suleiman alerted Fayose, who waded in and stopped the move to arrest the man of God.
Suleiman later recounted the incident and said: “I came to Ado Ekiti for a crusade. But I had a premonition that I was being trailed after I preached that Christians should retaliate any attack or killings by the Fulani herdsmen.
“These Fulani headmen had turned many Christians to orphans and widowers but the time has come to protect ourselves.
“I received several calls from hidden numbers trying to locate where I am and I had warned my security not to allow any Fulani man to come nearer me.
“So when the men of DSS came in the middle of the night, I knew their mission and I had to call the Governor because if they arrest me, they will put this country on fire”
Governor Fayose on his own said it was improper for DSS to try to whisk the pastor away in the middle of the night, instead of inviting him to clear whatever it is.
Fayose said: “I personally attended his crusade and I think it is wrong for a man of God who is armless that could be invited if they have any issue against him.
“Are Christians and Moslems under different dispensation of the rule of law? That’s why I went there to rescue him. Let them kill two of us together. But when they saw my vehicles and the crowd, they fled.
“But we have information that instructions came from DSS in Abuja that the Pastor should be arrested. We are not in a fascist state. Federal Government must learn to respect the rights of Nigerians and freedom of expression.
“This is unacceptable, We are in a democracy and Nigerians should warn the Presidency against putting this country on fire because religion is an emotional thing”.
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