By Oladipo Oluwatosin
Pastor Akintunde Agun, DCC Chairman of CAC Oniwaya, Lagos, and a senior lecturer at CACTS Lagos, has joined the growing chorus of prophetic voices crying for justice and safety across Nigeria. In a nation where the ground seems soaked with innocent blood, Pastor Agun insists that “Silence is no longer golden; silence is now dangerous.” As a watchman, he declares like the prophet Ezekiel, “I have heard a sound of terror and not of peace” (Jeremiah 30:5), and therefore must speak on behalf of the Church and the oppressed.
THE NEHEMIAH STRATEGY: WATCH, BUILD, SECURE (Nehemiah 4)
Drawing from Nehemiah 4, Pastor Agun recommends what he calls the Nehemiah Security Strategy, a balanced approach that combines prayer with practical action. In Nehemiah’s day, the people rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem with one hand holding the tools and the other holding a weapon (Nehemiah 4:17). It was a divine example of spiritual alertness and physical responsibility.
Pastor Agun argues that the Nigerian Church must follow the same pattern. In his words:
“Faith is not foolishness. Nehemiah prayed, but he also posted guards. The Church in Nigeria must pray, but we must also watch.”
He recommends the following security pillars for all churches, ministries, and Christian communities in Nigeria:
1. Technological Fortification of Worship Spaces
Churches must invest in integrated security technology such as: CCTV cameras installed at all entry and exit points, Drone surveillance during large gatherings Panic buttons and rapid-alert apps and Smart gate systems and motion-detection lighting
As he warns, “When the enemy is using AK-47s and coordinated intelligence, wisdom demands that we don’t go to battle with bare hands.”
2. Professional Security Personnel
Pastor Agun strongly advises churches to engage trained, licensed, and ethical security professionals. Not everything should be left in the hands of ushers who are untrained for emergency response.
“A church without security is like a city without walls,” he says, echoing Proverbs 25:28.
3. Intelligence Gathering and Information Flow
Information, he insists, is now a weapon of defence: Churches must establish community intelligence teams, Leaders must collaborate with local security agencies and First-class real-time information should be shared within networks of pastors and community watch groups
He warns that “When danger is announced, it rarely kills. What kills is when danger arrives unannounced.”
THE ROOT OF THE CRISIS: IGNORANCE, MANIPULATION AND DARK POLITICAL INTERESTS
Pastor Agun did not shy away from the bitter truth at the heart of Nigeria’s insecurity. He insists that ignorance weaponized is more dangerous than a loaded gun.
1. The North Must Be Educated Against Manipulation
He admonishes the government to intentionally invest in educating Northern youths, who are often manipulated by extremist ideologies.
In his words: “The devil’s workshop is not an idle mind alone; it is an uneducated, misinformed mind.”
According to him, terrorism thrives because certain groups are kept in ignorance, used like pawns in a political chess game.
2. Political, Religious, and Personal Interests Are Feeding the Violence
He narrated several incidents—the Catholic church abduction, the CAC Eruku (Kwara) killings and abductions, and many other tragedies—pointing out that behind each attack lies “layers of profit, interest, and hidden agendas.”
He reminded Nigerians that in 2015, the same political propaganda used to unseat former president Goodluck Jonathan is still active today. He noted that many political elites are emboldened by statements like Donald Trump’s infamous remark categorizing Nigeria in derogatory terms. These statements, he explains, strengthen extremist and racist narratives that fuel chaos.
Using a Yoruba adage, he said: “Ẹni tí a bá ti kọ́ ní bí a ṣe ń pa ẹkùn, ẹkùn yóò pa ni nígbà mìíràn.”
(He who is taught how to kill a lion may one day use the skill against his teacher.)
THE 2027 PROPHECY: INNOCENT BLOOD AND THE THRONE
Pastor Agun delivered a sober prophetic warning:
“The goal of these rising killings is political. Some people believe power must be bought with blood. But the blood of the innocent cries louder than their ambition.”
He compared Nigeria’s situation to: Herod, who killed innocent children to secure a throne (Matthew 2:16)
Nebuchadnezzar, who used fear and military terror to control nations (Daniel 3–4)
But he declared with faith: “The God who dethroned Herod will dethrone every Herod in Nigeria. The God who humbled Nebuchadnezzar will humble our Nebuchadnezzars.”
ENOUGH OF THIS SILENCE: A WATCHMAN’S CRY
Pastor Agun concluded with a resounding declaration: “I speak because I am a watchman. The blood of the saints is crying. Enough of this silence. Enough of this pretense. Enough of this slaughter. Nigeria must live.”
He quoted Isaiah 62:1: “For Zion’s sake, I will not keep silent; for Jerusalem’s sake, I will not remain quiet.”
Using another proverb, he said: “When the house of your neighbour is burning, your own roof is sweating.”
This is not just the Church’s battle; it is Nigeria’s battle.
He then urged all Christians to stand like Nehemiah’s men:
Pray like warriors
Watch like soldiers
Build like visionaries
Speak like watchmen
Prepare like defenders of a nation under siege
Because, he says: “No Nigerian life is worthless, no matter the tribe, faith, or region. Nigeria will not drown. God will arise.”
If you want, I can help you convert this story into a news report, a press statement, a sermon, or a broadcast script.
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