Thursday, 23 May 2013
How Vicious Mountain of Fire Church Security Molested, Arrested And Detained SaharaReporters Crew In Nigeria
A trip by a Saharareporters/SaharaTV crew in Lagos aimed at covering the “cross over” night of one of Nigeria's mega churches on New Year's eve ended in molestation, threats, arrest and detention by the church. The SaharaReporters' media crew drove into the church premises of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles ministry (MFM) on the Lagos Ibadan expressway in response to news that its cross over night event was the biggest in the Lagos area.
The crew was led by Saharareporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, who was traveling underground in Nigeria as part of a series of reports for the renowned website. Upon reaching the church's massive auditorium Mr. Sowore was ushered into the church service by church ushers situated at a small entrance, he bore a canon 5D camera mounted on his shoulder with proper photo and video recording gadgets. The period of the SaharaReporters crew arrival coincided with the sermon of the General Overseer, Dr. Daniel K Olukoya, however, the large church auditorium with several huge TV broadcast screens meant that the crew had to seek direction to the podium. As a result, twice during the sojourn, the crew tendered their local credentials to the church ushers and security to gain access near the pastor's podium.
At no time during the visit did any member of the church security team ask members of the team for "accreditation" or press passes to cover the event. Shortly after arriving near the podium, however, Mr. Sowore was accosted by a church security official who demanded to see his identity card. Promptly given one, the official nervously began scrutinizing the card while Mr. Sowore and the crew continued filming Dr. Olukoya's sermon, which was on the subject of fear. Within seconds of the first encounter, a mob made up of security officials descended on Mr. Sowore and a second member of the crew, demanding that they cease any form of filming in the church auditorium. Attempts by the crew to explain that they were granted access to the auditorium following presentation of their press credentials were met with a ferocious and more aggressive pack of church thugs who attempted to break the crew's camera. The argument escalated within the purview of the pastor, who continued his preaching. But it became intense, the church security growing nastier and more physical, pushing and shoving Mr. Sowore and another crew member to the back of the church altar. In an effort to avoid disruption of the service, the chaotic scene was pushed to the back of the church where the SaharaReporters crew was confronted by an army of security personnel comprising the State Security Service (SSS), mobile policemen carrying AK 47 guns, barrel-chested private security officials of the church, as well as the church production crew and a photographer who were taking photos of SR reporters.
There, in the dark, several security agents continued the pushing and shoving, issuing more threats, including a death threat. A guy identified as the "CSO" forcefully dispossessed the crew of its cameras and gadgets and threw them in a Hilux van, while church technical crew secretly searched for any memory cards as the mob gathered around threatening to maim and kill.Mr. Sowore argued against the aggression, wondering why a church service being streamed live was a subject of such secrecy and acrimony. He asked what the church was hiding and what the difference was between the Jesus police and the Devil's army, and in response to an individual church member's threat to physically assault him to death, Mr. Sowore asked, "What's the big deal didn't they kill Jesus, wasn't it the church that killed Jesus Christ".
As the mob got more charged and dangerous, one of the SSS men tried to calm the mob asking that the crew be taken into police custody. As the team made to drive off, it came under further allegations of “insubordination” from the church technical staff who had unsuccessfully failed to remove memory cards from the reporters’ equipment, not knowing they had already removed them and taken them out of the church premises. At that point, members of the SaharaReporters team had also begun secretly filming the encounter on their cellphones. In frustration, the leader of the church interrogation team accused Mr. Sowore of being sponsored by the devil because of the cowry shells he wears around his neck. A more serious allegation was soon to follow as they claimed that the team was sent by Boko Haram, the violent Nigerian Islamic sect that has been bombing churches in Northern Nigeria, to bomb their church. By that time, the team was surrounded by over 40 church people, police and thugs, who threatened them with death if they did not produce the memory cards.
The SaharaReporters team stood its ground, vehemently daring them to do their worst. As things got extremely heated a senior leader of the Mountain of Fire Church, who said he knew Mr. Sowore from his University of Lagos days waded in and asked that the mob step back. He cautioned that the incident could be detrimental for the church, disclosing to them that Mr. Sowore was the founder of SaharaReporters.com. In view of the fact that Mr. Sowore was traveling discreetly in Nigeria, that revelation didn't go well with the crew but that intervention forced the church CSO to drive the crew to the church security post and detention center. There the crew was handed over to the officer in charge with the stern instruction that they be treated as criminals engaging in trespass and criminal espionage.The elderly security man promptly invited the Divisional Police Officer of the Nigerian police station at Ibafo in Ogun state who came and took their identity cards. He made a phone call to the local media affiliate and confirmed that we were legitimate.
The DPO himself then curiously fled the scene afterwards, leaving the SaharaReporters team to face further abuse and harsh interrogation from the three church staff members that had accompanied them to the detention center.
One of them, the editor of MFM News, along with a female production crew member of the church, verbally abused the reporters throughout the encounter.
The technical production chief of the Mountain of Fire Church also physically assaulted Mr. Sowore as he tried to retrieve another memory card that was unrelated to the coverage. The production crew later left, while a new set of younger church security task force hounded the detainees for hours. The reporters were kept in the dingy security post without any formal charges. The SR crew later decided on another round of protests when they found out that none of the people keeping them detained were officially affiliated with the police. In essence, they were being detained by the church, a non-state actor, in Nigeria. As the crew approached the counter to retrieve its cameras and leaven the account of the latest information, the younger task force members blocked the SR crew and some of them brought out a whip and sticks to attack the SR crew, they were cautioned not to try it.
Soon, two minsters arrived to plead with us to delete our footage claiming to have confirmed that they had shown saharareporters website to several top pastors at the GO's office and that they actually patronize SaharaReporters on a daily basis. It is noteworthy that the second member of the new group was the former UNILAG student activist who had cautioned against any form of maltreatment during the molestation session at the back of the church when the crew was first arrested. After a meeting with the leader of the security post they released our cameras.
The CSO also arrived at the scene, where he apologized to the crew and offered to return Mr. Sowore’s cellphone. When the SR crew left the Mountain of Fire Church premises, it was about 3:00 AM. The crew had spent the New Year’s first hours in the detention of the church; one of our camera’s flashes had been damaged and Mr. Sowore’s glasses were missing. Of no less importance, at the detention center we saw the abuse of common Nigerians by Mountain of Fire Church security officials. Leaflet sellers as well as water and roadside hawkers are being routinely beaten and abused. One person was actually chained to a door and repeatedly beaten and abused. His offence: he was said to have been selling "illegal stuff"" on church premises.
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I think u dey craizy my
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on May 9, 2013 - 09:41.
I think u dey craizy my friend. What secrecy r u talking about , do u know how many people outside nigeria watch the services live from the internet? They ”WATCH not LISTEN but WATCH " and c everything as it happens and here you are talking of secrecy. May God have mercy on Liars .
SR you are a true reporter
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 21, 2013 - 22:03.
SR you are a true reporter majority of Nigerian reporter are not investigative Journalist. i will cont to be your lover . the churches in Nigeria are the agent of colonial masters trying to enslave us again remember Fela songs SECOND SLAVE TRADE.
God knows who is worshiping him. The Nigerian churches have turned themselves to semi-god for their followers infact they have fashioned their preaching to enslave their followers.Imagine all the looters that spoil our country are being celebrated.imagine MFM praying for Ceciliar Ibru, and Redeem Praying for Akingbola instead to curse them
SR is indecent
Submitted by FK (not verified) on January 14, 2013 - 13:23.
The kind of language you've used in this article: "church thug," "SR crew being led to crucifixion," "mob" etc shows that you are not decent. All the allegations you made may just be figment of your exagerrated imagination and is a misuse of the power of your pen.
This story cannot be entirely
Submitted by Felix Achebe (not verified) on January 14, 2013 - 07:08.
This story cannot be entirely true. I know this because of the reference to "There, in the dark, several security agents continued the pushing and shoving, issuing more threats, including a death threat"
The entire prayer city is lit with halogen flood lights during programmes. You cannot find a dark spot in the streets, residential area, shopping area not to talk of the auditorium.
Again you said "The DPO himself then curiously fled the scene afterwards, leaving the SaharaReporters team to face further abuse and harsh interrogation from the three church staff members that had accompanied them to the detention center"
Obviously you leave so much unsaid. The report is not true and cannot be reliable.
I encourage you to go to MFM website to listen to the messages
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 14, 2013 - 04:39.
I actually tuned in to the Cross over service at 10.00am EST from my house in Virginia and listened to part of the message of Olukoya before leaving for church at 9.00 PM EST (USA). What a wonderful service. He preached about oppression and how oppression can make human beings to do strange things. The act of Mr. Sowore is very indicative of what he spoke about. Have you ever heard any scandal concerning Dr. Olukoya?. Do you know how many people MFM is supporting around the world. I encourage you to go the MFM website http://www.mountainoffire.org/and watch the messages.
prayed the payer on my head which Mr. Sowore titled as head hitting ritual. I would rather apply the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse my head than cowrie shells. Living in the US does not confer a right on anyone to be a nuisance to others in their moment of worship. So many of us are US citizens, we don't carry a placard around because of that.
What is the difference Between MFM and Boko Haram?
Submitted by Truth teller (not verified) on January 13, 2013 - 17:17.
Can some of you defenders of the atrocious conduct of MFM please tell us the difference between the methods used by MFM on Sowore and his crew and what Boko haram does? Rather than being contrite, MFM is trying to compare itself to a mosque. A mosque should not be a yardstick for a reasonable church.
The reason MFM is comparing itself to a mosque is because they use the same methods. They use mind control hence the head banging which is similar to a Shiite ritual. The MFM goons use same terrorist methods like boko haram and if Olukoya tells his followers to bomb SR they'll do so. Hence the MFM defenders here.
Sowore and MFM Church
Submitted by Alo O A (not verified) on January 13, 2013 - 12:25.
It's good that accreditation procedures be followed by Sahara Reporters. But, bizzare, investigative or sensational stories which Sahara Reporters is cut out to do are not easily covered through 'accredited journalism. Can you also see the sets of people in the video- majority looks troubled and really needs help- in other words, they are the 'vulnerable' in the society. I would have preferred MFM to stand up against the ills of the Nigerian society and government, order than telling people to 'kill or shoot their enemies', knock their 'hungry heads' while praying, go on days of fasting and prayer where simple surgical procedure could have been the answer. Life is far too short to trouble ourselves unnecessarily- and we do that a lot in Nigeria. Stable electricity, water, good roads and quality health care and schools for our children, justice and fairness in our society- those are the things that matters most now!! God bless Nigeria.
re
Submitted by freelance (not verified) on January 13, 2013 - 05:46.
zacheaus and the woman with the issue of blood wanted salvation with security challenges now will you allow your door to be open for any one to come in if even you are holier than thou????????????
SR, apologise to MFM
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 12, 2013 - 03:18.
Commentators on this issues seem not to be aware that the sermon was going on when Sahara men were causing this distraction by the altar side. This to my mind is a sign of disrespect to God and the church. I repeat the Sahara men were childishly arrogant. No church allows total strangers to wander into the pulpit during sermons. If Sahara men are really people of honour and integrity they should apologise to the church and stop their childish arguments
Would would the Lord have done?
Submitted by Jide (not verified) on January 11, 2013 - 23:21.
What would have happened to Zaccaheus who climbed a tree to see Jesus passing. Would he have been hounded as unaccredited especially since he was a tax collector, or the woman with the issue of blood who without proper authorisation touched Jesus's cloth. Many instances of unauthorised contact with Jesus abound in the gospel.
I thought proper example had been laid by Jesus in each case so I wonder where in the Bible this type of harassment is seen. The only example I can think of is Peter who cut off an ear while "defending" Jesus, but even here Jesus's reaction is again at variance with what was done here.
If I could posit, I think that had it been Jesus, the Sahara Reporters team would have been granted unlimited access to him, given a exclusive interview, and been invited to have dinner with him.
God is not man and the gospel is not man-made, we should not have to defend God or his gospel with man-made instruments as was attempted here. The gospel is not without power.
She was mobbed!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 11, 2013 - 22:17.
sir, that incidence happened in UI and the lady was mobbed and almost killed, by those at the jumat.
The Gamut of Gospel Gimmicks.
Submitted by Author Jahid (not verified) on January 11, 2013 - 06:33.
I prescribed the book titled 'The Gamut of Gospel Gimmicks' for those 'sheeps' who are beguiled to belief in falsehood all in the name of salvation.
Sowore take am easy before
Submitted by igwe of nigeria (not verified) on January 10, 2013 - 16:44.
Sowore take am easy before you allow devil push you too much. You don begin expose yourself, we know say you nor be trained journalist but you suppose apply wisdom because all dis gragra fit land you for mama monica soup.
Mr Sowore. You acted wrongly.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 9, 2013 - 21:59.
Mr Sowore. You acted wrongly. You needed to do the right thing and that is, to be properly accredited. Also do please stop this cheap smear campaign of yours against the church. Whatever denomination it may be, just note that you are trying to fight God and you will certainly fail. You can't fain knowledge about the security situation in Nigeria. Go and thank God that you are still alive!
IF ONLY YOU CAN SEE
Submitted by dapy (not verified) on January 9, 2013 - 21:03.
if only you can see from the Video that Nigeria Christians are really in bondage, this THING you call religion is nothing but a Myth. Christianity defers logic and that is why it is being uprooted from the western world where it came from, it is still only present in Africa because of the poverty level. Even christian researchers have had extensive study on the bible and found that the bible was put together by series manuscript with different contents, they concluded that the bible is not the word of God but the word of your priest hence the many contradictions in that THING you call holy book. This is the reason why you guys no more follow the little verses that are consistent with the teaching of Jesus but you decide to follow and worship your PASTORS. Tell me if your god is deaf that he needs all the hitting of heads or twisting of neck for him to hear your prayer.
I've read most of the
Submitted by Ibiwumi (not verified) on January 9, 2013 - 20:28.
I've read most of the comments here and I firmly believe that most Nigerian Christians have been robbed of common sense by the Pastors that spout rubbish from the pulpit every Sunday.
The point here is not whether SR had a permit or not; they showed their credentials at the gate and given entrance, that implicitly implies permission to cover the service.
The action of the church members is deeply entrenched in the belief that everyone is out to get them; so I blame the church for allowing this rubbish to happen
How vicious MFM security molested ,arrested and detained SR crew
Submitted by The Truth (not verified) on January 9, 2013 - 09:12.
This is a clear case of gate crashing by the SR Crew,which simply means attending an event without a formal invitation.
Granted it was a Cross Over night service thrown open to the general public for the purpose of worship, but not for event coverage. The media coverage of the event like in ant civilised society will require accreditation. As attested to Sowore, he was told that other media houses invited for the service were allocated a particular gallery for their job.
Why did nt SR Crew request for accreditation and join other Media Houses on the Media Gallery rather than going straight to the alter and be filming proceedings without authorisation? Even Sowore will not allow any body barge into his establishment to start filming activities there.
So just because you are SR, the ushers should have left you to continue with this irresponsibility? There should be orderliness in the way we behave.
SW YOU HAVE MADE THE FINAL MISTAKE OF UR CAREER
Submitted by Let Jah Arise (not verified) on January 9, 2013 - 08:38.
SW u didn't do ur home work well before daring to challenge the God of Elijah! All those who challenge the God of M.F.M definitely received an answer of 'If I be a man of God let fire fall' Better ask for forgiveness because the God of Elijah is a consuming fire! you don't joke with the MFM bcos 'Surely the Lord is in this place.' I won't be surprised if you suddenly collapse like the captain of fifty and his fifty who challanged Elijah on top of the mountain (just like you dared to distrupt the MOG on the pulpit). I'm sure the captain of fifty had been going around previously attacking (in the name of journalism in ur case) several Men of God in the days of Elijah on the orders of the king. But he was not discerning to know that you don't harass a mountain top prophet like Elijah ang get away with it.
Jesus healed him and went
Submitted by mfm must apologize (not verified) on January 9, 2013 - 05:02.
Jesus healed him and went with those that came to take him. Did the general overseer ill SR's crew and go with them?
Why should you allow silly
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 9, 2013 - 04:56.
Why should you allow silly post, the man asking sahara to apologies is not a good reader half education is dangerous, complete fool bunkun let him go back to school and learn english, there so many power drunkard in church today those are the Jesus said they stand by the gate they neither in no out but chasing people away.
Sowore.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 9, 2013 - 00:59.
Its so shameful to know that you're a graduate, not just from any University but Unilag and you can involve your self in this barbaric act. This event was not the same you did in US with one of Nigeria minister, you go beyond your limit time & i still wonder what gave you impression that you're well known in Nigeria, how many people do you think that read SR on internet? Others well known media companies were also in the same ground that night, but due to the thug spirit in you that you want to show off, you end up disgrace yourself.
When Jesus was about to be
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 8, 2013 - 18:36.
When Jesus was about to be taken by the Pharisees, one of the people with him brought out a sword and cut off the ears of one of the soldiers. Jesus healed him and went with those that came to take him.
Did it mean Jesus was evil because He had a follower who cut off someone's ears? Why was a follower of Jesus holding swords when its obvious he could not fight for Jesus?
SR may feel wronged and feel they are in the right. But make no mistake, it does not take away from the message or the truth of what MFM teaches and stands for
SR, you need to apologise (2)
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 8, 2013 - 16:11.
Just like some comments on this site. Could Sahara try this in a mosque or could Sahara wander into the altar of a local shrine or Eastern temples in an unaccredited state and remain unchallenged? Could Sahara claim ignorance of church bombings and killing of Christians in Nigeria by terrorists? These men should apologize to MFM instead of seeking for public sympathy. The earlier they do this the better. It is an abomination to try and cause disorder in the house of God.
SR, you need to apologise (1)
Submitted by Mayomi (not verified) on January 8, 2013 - 16:09.
I was at this programme. Other journalists were there with their equipment. Sahara was not prevented from filming the programme. The MFM has nothing to hide. Sahara was only apprehended when they ventured into the altar area. In MFM only the official cameramen are allowed on the altar. Other journalists present did not venture into the altar areas .We have a seating area for journalists .Sahara did not sit there. The Sahara reporters were completely unsympathetic to the security plights that Nigerian churches have been plunged into in the last one year. How can a church allow an unaccredited camera men to wander into the altar area? The arrogance of these men was alarming. A soft answer would have resolved the issue and they would have been told to comply with the rules and stick to the non-podium areas.
RE: Ignorant Samuel Doe By A. Lawal
Submitted by Samuel Doe (not verified) on January 8, 2013 - 16:06.
A. Lawal, the fact that our government will not protect her citizens mean they have to do it themselves. For example, If SR came to your office uninvited, what will your first reaction be...and thats without possessing guns. SR, howcome we have so many faceless commentator and impersonators report on this web address. The world over, you have to either register with your fb, linkedin or genuine emaill account before you make comments. No wonder the abuse of the fedback system. SR, can you please authenticate this process and verify comments before publishing, going back in time as well. Going forward, will appreciate you ignore such ludicrous comments and avoid a free for all. SR, ignore or accept, without doing this, It will further erode on your already crumbling reputation for online news. Cheers, S.Doe, Belfast, UK
Right and wrong
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 8, 2013 - 15:13.
SR, u guys hv done badly, i cdnt evn type in ma official email on ur page b4 sendin ds post, cos ur now official a suspicious bunch.
Bcos ds is naija, u wont tnk 2 do d ryt tin? Jus cover any event u want wtout a permit?
If u wan 2 findout hidden stuff, attend their usual services as an undercover guy, wt audio recorders dt can b seen.
U want silly publicity. U ar d physical manifestatn of a spiritual attenpt 2 disrupt dt crossover.
Thnk God sey body don tell u. Stop lookin 4 sympathy jorr. jus go mosque. blaady amateur
crazy people
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on January 8, 2013 - 12:27.
really dis is absurd.u cant do dis in a mosque and yet u go into dat church witout prior notice to d event and proper accreditation.u guys are fools.Go to places were u're needed the national assembly where controversies abound everyday and aso rock were corruption is common place.y'all fools and trying 2 stir up controversy.
Idiot...
Submitted by Shittu Saheed Olayinka. (not verified) on January 8, 2013 - 11:30.
Not Bornu, even Kano NO MOSQUE (OR CHURCH) in Northern Nigeria will treat journalists like that, they don't indulge in all the voodoo and cult stuff you people practice. Journalists or no journalists, which human being deserve such treatment? Some religious organizations (mostly new generation churches) have started seeing themselves as authorities. Okay, if the journalists trespasses how about the poor hawkers detained and mistreated? Mr. Sowore has said it all, WAS IT NOT THE CHURCH THAT KILLED JESUS? I will add, was it not because Jesus was blocking their sinful incomes? The church had not only been turned into a den of thieves now it is an empire of robbers. All these new generation (brainwashing & mind-enslaving) churches are ruled by the demon of worldly lust. How can people claim to own and 'oversee' God's Houses? Dirty Charlatans.
lier
Submitted by seyi (not verified) on January 8, 2013 - 10:05.
you are not just a blasphamer but a lier and a crook.A little child seeking attention. Where and When did adeboye make the 1.3m request from you kid
It saddens me that many
Submitted by Profdave (not verified) on January 8, 2013 - 08:41.
It saddens me that many people that has commented on this piece arent objective. What's the harrassment for? Why subject harmless people to such assault in the name of security? Lets look vividly to the case of Jesus Christ our exemplary. The scripture made us understand that all manner of people flock to him for different reason, he never at any time subscribes to being 'body-guarded'. Why cant our todays men of God take a toll from there. Oh, I love the simplicity of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, yes, he has protocol people but never bodyguards. Mr Sowore and SR crew, pls, continue doing what you are doing, may God watch you and keep you. God will judge all evil doers and also judge all the Fox in sheep's clothing. The day of reckoning is at hand.
