The crisis between New Glory Baptist Church (formerly Ajegunle Baptist Church), Agbowo, Ibadan and the Convention President has taken a disturbing turn as the church council has cried out for urgent intervention, accusing the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) President, Rev. Dr. Israel Adelani Akanji, of masterminding a wave of harassment, arrests, and intimidation against its members.
In a Save Our Souls (SOS) letter issued on the church’s letterhead, the council alleged that despite having two cases currently before courts of competent jurisdiction over ownership of church properties, Rev. Akanji and his Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) lawyer have continued to weaponise the security agency to target church members.
According to the council, Akanji is working with two individuals, Mr. Ayokunle Oladele and Mr. Peter Oyelola, who allegedly act as pointers to members’ homes and offices to facilitate arrests.
“Last week, members of the Church’s Building Committee were arrested and detained. This week, they have begun targeting the School Board management and church secretariat members. We do not know who will be next on their list,” the SOS letter stated.
This development comes barely days after the management of Baptist High School, Agbowo, which is owned by the church, refuted allegations circulating in a viral video about the demolition of one of its classroom buildings. The school clarified that the structure had become structurally unsafe and was demolished with all necessary approvals for reconstruction. However, it disclosed that some of its members had been victimised and arrested despite the exercise being legally approved.
“These coordinated acts of intimidation, harassment, and victimisation are not only unlawful but deeply unchristian. Instead of reconciliation, peace, and due process, we are seeing brute force, oppression, and contempt for the rule of law,” a church member lamented.
The church council is now appealing to the Nigerian Baptist Convention family worldwide, civil society, and the general public to intervene and call Rev. Akanji to order.
“Our lives and liberty are under siege. We plead with all stakeholders and the general public: SAVE OUR SOULS,” the letter concluded.
