- Worshippers Foil Arrest Of Clergyman
BY CHAMBERLAIN ODEY, JOS – The Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN), Northern Chapter says there is no cause for alarm as its leaders will resolve issues arising from the Department of State Security (DSS) attempt to arrest fiery preacher, Prophet Isa El-Buba of Evangelical Bible Outreach Ministry International in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Chairman of the chapter, Rev Yakubu Pam, said Northern church leaders have already intervened in the matter and efforts are on to sort out whatever is at stake between the clergy and the DSS, acting on behalf of the Federal Government.
A statement issued in Jos by Rev Pam appealed to Christian leaders in Plateau State and the Christian community generally to remain calm and trust the CAN leadership to handle and resolve the situation amicably and in the best possible way.
Competent sources on the Plateau claimed that in what is being widely touted as efforts by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressive Congress (APC) administration to clamp down on free speech towards 2019 general elections, the DSS’ desperate attempts to Prophet El-Buba were foiled by vigilant worshipers who had throng his church for a vigil service on Tuesday.
Eyewitness account said the Security Service men, whose number could not be immediately ascertained, had stormed the Ebomi Towers with the intension of whisking the clergy to Abuja but met stiff resistance from the church members.
This moves by the DSS created tension in the Jos Metropolis on Tuesday as Christian leaders, women church leaders, and youths stormed the Ebomi Towers in their numbers to demonstrate solidarity with the Internationally-acclaimed cleric, who has been critical of President Muhammadu Buhari’s style of administration and the activities of killer-Fulani herdsmen in parts of the country in recent times.
Prophet El-Buba in an interview with newsmen at his Ministry towers said the DSS team, led by a Deputy Director, stormed his fellowship headquarters on Monday night while he was preparing for a fellowship service and informed him he was wanted at the DSS Headquarters.
According to him, this led to serious arguments between him and the DSS team. “I demanded for a letter of invitation and was not given. So, I became suspicious of their mission to my office that night”, El Buba explained.
Prophet El Buba, further alleged that the DSS also had another team that at the same time invaded his Jos residence in two trucks with the same order to pick him up at all cost whether at home or at the Ministry’s headquarters.
He said after much prolonged discussions and arguments with the security operatives in his office and the demonstration of worshippers against his arrest without any warrant, he was told to report at the Jos DSS office for questioning by 11.00am Tuesday morning.
Prophet El Buba told the journalists that he has not committed any offence to warrant such harassment and threat of arrest by the DSS men, who claimed to be acting on the so-called ‘orders from above’.
The Clergy maintained that he would continue to preach for good governance in this country, and urged political leaders at all levels to govern and execute their constitutional responsibilities with the fear of God and in line with His commandments.
He said his late father, El Buba fought the first and second World Wars, sacrificing to enthrone justice and equity to all, adding that the DSS’ action has strengthened him the more to remain strong and focus in serving the Lord God Almighty.
Commenting on the incident, Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rev Steve Dangana and the National President of Youth Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kadzai Daniel told newsmen at the Prophet El Buba’s Towers that they were there in solidarity with their fellow church leader who was under siege from the State Security.
They challenged the government to encourage freedom of speech in a democracy rather than seeking to gag the people and opposition voices, insisting that due process of law should be followed whenever government feels anyone, including religious leaders, should be questioned on certain issues concerning the government.
