Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Adeboye, Oyedepo & more condemn Lekki Massacre of peaceful EndSARS protesters by Nigerian Military at the Toll Gate
Following the tragic event of Tuesday, 20th of October, 2020, that is now known as the Lekki Massacre, where armed military men opened fire on peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate, killing and injuring a lot of #EndSARS protesters, Many areligious leaders have condemned the act.
Pastor Sam Adeyemi has advised the youths not to result to violence or vengeance.
The senior pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, who has been very vocal since the beginning of the protest wrote a 10-tweet-threat where he spoke to the youths to keep holding a vision of a new Nigeria.
“Dear young citizen, the turn of events on 20/10/20 is very sad indeed. I know you are deeply disappointed that the country you love and seek to improve hurts you this much,” Pastor Sam Adeyemi began.
“We mourn the loss of those who passed. We will not forget them. We pray for comfort and strength for their loved ones. We pray for speedy healing for those hurt.
“The messages and pictures of gross injustice that we see over and over have impact on our minds and emotions. It’s okay to pause, to feel the grief, the anger, the pain.
“Please seek help if you are feeling overwhelmed. Talk with others so you can bring the emotions out. Also, remember that God has promised to help us in times like these.
READ ALSO: Bishop TD Jakes, Pastor Adeboye, Pastor Sam Adeyemi & More Lend Voice To EndSARS Protest
“God said; “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (2Corinthians 12:9).
“2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “All praises belong to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he is the Father of tender mercy and the God of endless comfort…
“He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial. We can bring them this same comfort that God has poured out upon us”.
“Please don’t revenge. God will do a better job of that and get us justice. “Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” (Romans 12:19)
“Avoid violence. Emphasize that those destroying properties are not with you. The party that resorts to violence in the place of negotiation is usually the one that is afraid.
“In the midst of all these, hold the vision of a developed nation firmly in your heart. The birth process has begun. There is no stopping now. You are resilient. God loves you. I love you too. #ENDSARS”
Similarly, Pastor Tunde Bakare of the Citadel Global Community Church, formerly known as Latter Rain Assembly has also condemned the Lekki Massacre. Speaking on his official Facebook page, Pastor Tunde Bakare said he strongly condemned the act.
“I strongly condemn the killings that took place yesterday at the Lekki Tollgate and around the country. These grave incidents have no place in our country and set an unfortunate precedent that must not be repeated.” #EndSARS
In a follow up post earlier today, Pastor Tunde Bakare further said there is an expiry date for wickedness and trigger happy military men.
“There is an expiry date for every monster, ruler, unkind person, and every trigger-happy military or police officer who shoots people at will.
“Our hearts go out to those who are mourning the truncated lives of their loved ones. We step in the gap for those whose lives are hanging in the balance. May God turn our sorrow into joy.”
Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock Church also released a statement concerning the Lekki Massacre which said Nigerians born and unborn will not forget the “Black Tuesday” when the nations Democracy was dealt a hard blow as “our very own military” used the Lekki Toll Gate as shooting range and “our children as target practice.”
“Nigerians will forever remember this day – #blacktuesday. We can’t erase from our memory how the disbelief of a nation turned to shock, horror, heartbreak and unspeakable sorrow as our unarmed children were shot at, injured, maimed and killed, in the course of a peaceful protest.
“I pray for healing for everyone who was injured, bereaved or traumatised by the carnage we witnessed. You are not alone. We feel your pain, we pray with you and we stand with you.”
Nigerians will forever remember this day – #blacktuesday. We can’t erase from our memory how the disbelief of a nation turned to shock, horror, heartbreak and unspeakable sorrow as our unarmed children were shot at, injured, maimed and killed, in the course of a peaceful protest. pic.twitter.com/mXLj6TZn8o
— Paul Adefarasin (@pauladefarasin) October 21, 2020
Apostle Suleman, known for his fiery nature tweeted his deep sorrow about the Lekki Massacre with the simple words; “I weep.”
He continued: “God will reply everyone that pulled a trigger today…down to their fourth generation..it wont go unattended to…”
Bishop Oyedepo known to be very vocal must have been lost for words when he tweeted a scripture.
“For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.” Jer. 30:17,” he continued with a short prayer. “Lord, heal our land and restore all that has been lost – 2 Chron 7:14 #EndBrutality”
Pastor EA Adeboye also condemned the Lekki Massacre while appealing to the youth to stop any form of action that will give the military excuse to bring about such occurrence for now.
He posted a press statement and also tweeted:
“I condemn in the strongest possible terms, attacks launched by the Nigerian military on unarmed young people, who have been peacefully protesting police brutality over the last 12 days as #EndSARS protests.
“I call on the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the tragic events at Lekki and other parts of the country, give justice to all victims even as it engages the #EndSARS protesters to reach a common agreement to end police brutality.
“I am also appealing to the Youths to allow peace reign & stop any form of action that would give the Military any other form of excuse to attack. May the peace of God come upon our nation, now more than ever in JESUS name (Amen)”
I condemn in the strongest possible terms, attacks launched by the Nigerian military on unarmed young people, who have been peacefully protesting police brutality over the last 12 days as #EndSARS protests. pic.twitter.com/IwrtVb3Y7k
— Pastor Adeboye (@PastorEAAdeboye) October 21, 2020