Prominent Nigerian cleric Bishop David Oyedepo has issued a powerful and emphatic declaration during a recent church service, reiterating that Nigeria will never be transformed into an Islamic state, despite the persistent rise of violent extremist activities across the country. His message was delivered with fervent passion, aimed at reassuring Nigerians and members of his congregation of the inviolability of the Christian faith in the nation.
Bishop Oyedepo underscored the resilience and unshakeable nature of the Christian community in Nigeria, urging church members to remain steadfast, faithful, and courageous amid the ongoing threats from armed insurgents, kidnappers, and Islamic extremist groups. He stressed that the Church in Nigeria holds a higher spiritual authority that no earthly force can overcome, encouraging Christians to continue their worship without fear and to trust in divine protection.
Context of recent attacks
The bishop’s remarks came in light of a series of recent violent incidents targeting worshippers and rural communities. Only last week, five people were tragically shot dead during a church service, while in a separate attack, 35 individuals were abducted from a rural village, with kidnappers reportedly demanding a ransom of ₦100 million. These violent events have heightened fears among Christians in Nigeria, making the cleric’s address both timely and crucial in restoring confidence and hope.
Bishop Oyedepo lays curses and calls for divine justice
During the service, Bishop Oyedepo did not hold back in condemning the activities of armed groups, kidnappers, and their sponsors. He invoked strong spiritual warnings and curses against perpetrators of violence, assuring the faithful that prayers from the Church would bring about divine intervention and judgment. He proclaimed that the plans of these violent groups would be thwarted and that God’s justice would prevail over wickedness.
The cleric passionately stated:
“Nigeria will never become an Islamic state. Never, Never!
The church of Christ in Nigeria is indestructible. The gates of hell cannot prevail against thee. The battle is raging, Islamic jihadists are roaring, but we belong to a higher realm of authority. Five people shot dead in church last week, 35 abductees, and they are demanding 100 million from a village setting. Every perpetrator and their sponsors come under a curse today. When this church prays, God hears. In the camp of the wicked, there shall be catastrophe. Everyone behind it, within the next seven days, they are smelling, they’re stinking.”
Bishop Oyedepo’s powerful declaration has reverberated widely, attracting attention on social media and news platforms, as the faithful and observers alike share his warnings and messages of hope, urging increased vigilance and spiritual preparedness across the country.
Watch video below …
Papa Oyedepo pic.twitter.com/ztUyxVRSf4
— Ijere Thomas Chukwuma, Ph.D (@chucksijere) November 23, 2025