Worship
Six years after # EndSARS, Lagos pastor seeks help to rebuild razed church
Six years after his church was destroyed during the October 2020 #EndSARS unrest, the founder of CAC, Warrior for Christ Mission, Fagba, Lagos, Prophet Dr Solomon Olukunmi Ajao (JP), has renewed his appeal to the Federal and Lagos State Governments, non-governmental organisations and well-meaning Nigerians for assistance to rebuild the worship centre.
The cleric said the church building, located at 9 Railway Line, off Jonathan Coker Road, Fagba Junction, was set ablaze by hoodlums on October 21, 2020, at the height of the protests. His newly purchased Subaru Jeep was also destroyed in the inferno.
According to him, the total value of the property lost runs into tens of millions of naira.
“I am using this opportunity again to appeal to the Lagos State Government to help us rebuild the church that was set ablaze during the #EndSARS protest so that we can continue to propagate the gospel of Christ in a conducive atmosphere,” Ajao said.
The prophet, who said he had spent over 30 years in ministry, stressed that he had never previously sought public assistance.
“For over three decades in God’s vineyard, I have not done anything shady to tarnish my image. I have not gone to anyone for help because God has been faithful to us. I don’t exploit my members. I always tell them to give according to their capacity because God loves a cheerful giver,” he said.
Since the destruction, the congregation has been worshipping outdoors.
“We have been worshipping under the sun. During the rainy season, it is even worse; many times, we get drenched during services. It was through voluntary donations that we managed to put up a temporary tent,” he explained.
Ajao added that after nearly three years of holding services under a makeshift canopy, the church was partially rebuilt through sacrificial contributions from members.
According to him, a modest six-by-six block structure was erected and roofed with salvaged burnt corrugated sheets, work he said he personally supervised and executed.
Recounting the events that led to the attack, the Oyo State-born cleric linked the incident to tensions in the area that predated the protests.
He said a dispute arose after a food vendor was allowed by the local Baale to operate in front of the church premises, a development he opposed.
He claimed that disagreements between the church and the food sellers escalated, creating resentment.
During the #EndSARS unrest, he alleged, the church became an easy target.
“Everything was burnt to ashes, including the car I had just bought. The structure became unsafe and needs to be completely demolished,” he said.
It was gathered that violence later erupted in the area following disputes over levies imposed on truck drivers transporting cows from the North to the Lagos abattoir, which reportedly heightened ethnic tensions and led to the destruction of several properties.
Ajao said no fewer than 25 buildings were affected.
He disclosed that top government officials, including Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, visited the scene after the incident.
“They came, took pictures and gave some money to petty traders,” he alleged, adding that although some victims were later compensated, his church was not.
Ajao said he submitted all required documents to the Lagos State Government office in Oregun, Ikeja, and was informed that his name appeared on the list of beneficiaries.
He explained that professional quantity surveyors initially assessed his loss at about ₦80 million, but the figure was later reviewed downward by officials to ₦48.7 million.
“Since then, I have not received a dime,” he said.
In a final appeal, Ajao urged the government and kind-hearted Nigerians to come to his aid.
“We are almost exposed whenever it rains, and there is no place to hide. If the government can help us reconstruct the church, it will be my joy. If not, they should find an alternative way to compensate us for this great loss,” he said.