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I Didn’t Ask Christians to Kill Muslims – Apostle Suleiman

The General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleiman, has denied inciting Christians to kill Muslims.

The cleric’s purported statement was said to have been responsible for an attempt by some officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest him at a hotel in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, where he is holding a four-day open air crusade, Suleman maintained that he never incited Christians to go after Muslims.

He said he only advised Christians to defend themselves if their places of worship were attacked by gunmen.

Insisting he was quoted out of context, the cleric said it was sinful for anyone to order a fellowman to kill a creation of God, describing the alleged comment as a misrepresentation of facts.

He said: “They said I preached in Auchi two weeks ago and implied that I was instigating Christians against Muslims.

“I have always been an advocate of peace and I can’t stay around and say such.

‘There are widows, orphans we take care of. No shepherd will see his sheep being killed and be happy.

“I have gotten anonymous calls from Fulani herdsmen about what I said.

‘What I said was that, if gunmen attack churches, you must defend yourself, but if they come to pray, don’t attack.

“But I was quoted out of context. I am not stupid, I live among the crowd and I am not senseless. Time for self defence has come. Whether you are a Muslim or Christian, someone can’t just come to your house and kill your children and you will keep quiet.

“I said Christians must not go after them, but if they come after us, then defend yourself. This is what they twisted. I have heard different versions of the story.

“I was in Abuja for three days why didn’t they come after me. But now that I am in Ekiti, they want to lump me up with a man they think is against them. It would have been easier to pick me up in Abuja, I don’t live here.

“I can present the video of my preaching.  I have always  preached that youths must not kill.

“It was wrong for the police or any security agency to come around me without any verifiable facts.”

The cleric threatened to sue the DSS, if the agency didn’t apologise within 24 hours.

Suleman said he would claim exemplary damages for the politically motivated moves against him.

He said the DSS’ action was a breach of his rights.

His threat was contained in a January 25 letter to the agency through his lawyer, Olayiwola Afolabi.

Church members denied that Suleman ordered them to kill herdsmen.

They said his statement on January 15 was directed to his security detail, which included policemen and not church members.

Head Pastor in Edo State Pastor Azemhe Azena said Suleman did not incite members but only told his security detail to defend him in case of any attack.

Speaking at a briefing in Benin City, Azena said the general overseer was not a criminal that should be intimidated from speaking the truth.

“Apostle Johnson Suleiman is not facing any corruption charge neither is there any petition against him.

“The attempted arrest being masterminded by the Presidency against him is unconstitutional,  wrong and defective.”

The Buhari Support Organisation (BSO) has cautioned DSS against arresting Suleman.

It said it did not want the DSS or the Federal Government to be drawn into a religious battle.

Its Deputy Director Blessing Agbomhere said any attempt to arrest Suleiman could cause setback for the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

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Copyright 2015 SIGNAL. Permission to use portions of this article is granted provided appropriate credits are given to www.signalng.com and other relevant sources.

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