By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Bishop David Oyedepo, Founder and Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, has renewed his 15-year warning over escalating insecurity in Nigeria, following recent attacks on churches that left worshippers dead and others abducted.
Speaking at the 4th Pre-Shiloh Encounter Service on Sunday, Oyedepo expressed deep concern over the nation’s current state. He said: “Developments in the past two weeks, particularly in Nigeria, are worrisome to say the least. There is need for a prompt response in prayers to stop the killings once and for all. You can’t trade people’s lives for your comfort. All the innocent blood spilled is crying out for vengeance…all the perpetrators will pay with their lives.”
Emphasising his connection to Nigeria, the cleric added: “No one is more Nigerian than myself. We all have our ancestral grounds. We all know power passes power, no power passes the power of God.”
Oyedepo called on members of his church to participate in midnight prayers, urging vigilance: “We are going out on a midnight raid of prayers. Every member of this church should be awake one hour before violence descends to anarchy in Nigeria…you mean a church was invaded during worship, and people were killed and abducted and nothing happened? The God of justice is rising. He gave reasons the wicked will be cursed in prayers (Genesis 12:3).”
Highlighting Nigeria’s spiritual identity, he stated: “When God steps in, the pride of men is cut. Every arrogance will be brought down. Nigeria will never descend into chaos. I want them to hear these hard truths because they are coming from the burning spirit of a prophet.”
Oyedepo also cited scripture on peace, saying: “When God speaks, it is accompanied with peace (Psalm 85:8). ‘I will listen to what God the LORD will say; for He will surely speak peace to His people and His saints. He will not let them return to folly.’ I’ve been shouting this for 15 years; God has prompted me to speak again.”
While condemning acts of violence, kidnapping, and terrorism, the cleric concluded: “We shall be calling for justice against those responsible. We are raiding the camp of the wicked; let’s all partake in the midnight prayer.”