Criminal Activities in Nigeria: Ministers of God as the Proponent -By Olusegun Victory Ayomikun

Martin Luther once said, “for where God built the church, there the devil would also build a chapel.” This is a true saying as practical enactment of this is carried out in the churches of today, especially the churches in Nigeria. A church does not only means a building for public worship as many would define it, but a real and healthy church in the old times means the organised body of believers of Christ. In other words, Christians are expected to be Christ-like. But this is not so, as wheat and tares are now mixed; light and darkness now struggle to coexist in the same space; and churches now become a place for merchandise where profits and dividends are expected to be forthcoming into the pockets of some so-called ministers of God who has been called to save, but glory in their acts of disguised destruction. This piece will discuss some reasons for unceasing criminal activities in Nigeria even under the nostril of the church, and also suggest necessary steps that can be taken.

Moving on, false ministers support the criminal activities of their members with their messages. The roots of their preaching are now in money and prosperity; there are no longer words of salvation that can save and touch people’s lives and also correct their wrongdoings. Rather, many ministers become backbones and godfathers to the perpetrators in society. When a head is corrupt then what do you expect of the body? The rottenness of the head will definitely advance to the body. The eggs the corrupt ministers brood upon, hatch and then become the like of their reproducers. The teaching of grab every opportunity without restrictions become the excuse of many members to carry out their villainous act, thereby causing them to do the uncalled for and endangering the lives of some innocent people.

Additionally, the false ministers turn blind eyes to the decadence of their members, why? Because they do not want a reduction in the number of their congregations. The fear of not wanting to lose their members to other denominations has cuffed the hands of the so-called ministers of God from doing the right thing. Also, mammon has become the director of these ministers. Imagine a pastor receiving tithes from cyber-criminals, prostitutes, kidnappers, even from those that stole or fraud the companies they worked for and so on. All of these things they overlook. They even bless them by saying “God will multiply your income, keep digging and the Lord will prosper your ways”. These perpetrators are encouraged to continue in their disdainful ways. Then, so-called Papas receive the money the perpetrators have given and use it to get themselves cars that befit them; with the desire to be recognised as strong, powerful, and wealthy personalities wherever they find themselves.

In a nutshell, having discussed these issues, this article proposes that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) should see into the affairs of the churches exercising these treacherous acts and call their heads (ministers) to order. Also, the Body of Christ should intercede for ministers and the church. A minister of God should see the work of God as a privilege and not as an option.