A Nigerian minister has called for an urgent police investigation into religious persecution in Nigeria, following deadly Oyo church violent attacks that left two people dead.
Pastor Adetunji Femi Oluwatobi revealed details of a campaign of violence that has forced surviving ministers into hiding, fractured local communities, and exposed severe security gaps across south-western Nigeria.
The minister said his ordeal began shortly after his marriage on 2 December 2017, when he became Head Pastor over three other ministers following church rules requiring married leaders in senior roles.
On 6 March 2018, he was transferred to the Church of Christ in Igboho, Oyo State, along with his subordinate pastors.
Church life proceeded without incident until 10 July 2018, when armed men invaded the premises during a men’s fellowship session and opened fire on the congregation.
Pastor Seun Olatunji died on the spot due to wounds he sustained through stray bullets, while I and two other men were abducted and taken to an undisclosed location,” he said.
The captives spent five days in remote bushland before escaping with help from an armed guard who recognised Pastor Adetunji’s local dialect.
I travelled through forests and remote communities before arriving in Ogbomoso, where kind-hearted residents helped me contact my wife,” he stated.
Escalating Armed Attacks Expose Widening Security Vacuum
The Igboho ambush marked the start of a systematic campaign against the church’s leadership team rather than an isolated incident of rural banditry.
Following the initial assault, the remaining pastors scattered across the region. Armed men later tracked down another minister, Pastor Olalekan Olanipekun, in an assault that resulted in the murder of the pastor’s wife.
Another colleague, Pastor Moses Abiodun, fled with his family to an undisclosed location. Their current whereabouts and condition remain unknown.
The violence followed Pastor Adetunji to Ogbomoso, where he and his pregnant wife had sought shelter. Two months after their arrival, gunmen raided their residential compound while the couple was away.
The attackers killed the compound’s gateman and guard dog. The landlord, who survived by hiding during the raid, later confirmed the gunmen pledged to track down the minister.
The incident was formally reported to the Ogbomoso Police Station before being transferred to the Iyaganku Area Command in Ibadan. Despite official complaints, no suspects have been detained.
Religious Persecution: Broader Implications for Freedom of Worship and Regional Stability
This violent campaign highlights a troubling shift in south-western Nigeria, a region historically known for communal stability and interfaith co-existence.
Unchecked attacks on religious leaders threaten to undermine public trust in local law enforcement. When clergy members are systematically targeted and displaced, local social structures crumble, leaving rural communities vulnerable to further lawlessness.
The failure to secure convictions or halt tracking efforts by armed groups points to persistent operational hurdles within local policing networks. For displacement victims, the lack of swift law enforcement action prolongs psychological distress and forces families into perpetual flight.
Pastor Adetunji confirmed that constant dislocation and fear have inflicted severe psychological trauma on his family, compelling them to relocate repeatedly to evade discovery.
He has formally petitioned the Federal Government and national security agencies to launch a thorough investigation into the raids, restore security to the affected districts, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
