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From Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan
Satguru Maharaj Ji and the One Love Family have rejected allegations that members of the organisation were behind an alleged armed attack on Faith and Miracle International Church, calling for a transparent investigation to establish what happened and identify those responsible.
The group, in a statement dated September 22, 2026, titled, “The Faith and Miracle International Church Alleged Armed Attack (A Figment of GF David’s Imagination),” described the allegation as unfounded and said the controversy was connected to an unresolved land dispute.
The One Love Family questioned claims that nine “skilled hired assassins” attacked the church, particularly the allegation that armed police and military personnel were providing security at the premises during the church’s ongoing crusade.
It asked why none of the alleged attackers was apprehended if, as claimed, several security vehicles and armed personnel had been deployed at the venue.
The group also denied destroying church property and challenged those making the allegations to provide photographs, videos or other evidence capable of establishing what happened.
According to the organisation, loud gunshots were allegedly heard around the church between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. during the crusade, alongside music from the venue. It said activities at Maharaj Ji’s Village, however, continued without confrontation.
The organisation said the dispute should not be transformed into a religious conflict, maintaining that the fundamental issue was a contested piece of land whose ownership claims were already before relevant authorities and the courts.
The group alleged that questions had also arisen over documents relating to the purported sale of the property.
It claimed that the Aladorin family had disowned the alleged transaction at a meeting of the Oyo State Anti-Land Grabbers Council in Ibadan.
It further alleged that G.F. David subsequently entered the disputed property with armed personnel and destroyed items there.
Maharaj Ji challenged anyone claiming ownership of the property to submit documentary evidence to the appropriate authorities and allow the legal process to determine the matter.
“The issue before us is a land dispute, and it has already gone through the appropriate channels. My position is simple: if anybody has a claim to the land, let that claim be determined by the law,” he said.
The One Love Family also referred to an earlier confrontation involving its members and police officers, alleging arrests and physical assaults on devotees. It said the matter remains before the court.
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The organisation appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, police authorities, other security agencies and traditional rulers to intervene before the controversy escalates.
Maharaj Ji particularly warned against the use of language capable of inflaming tensions, including references to “Operation Wetie”, which is associated with violent political incidents in the former Western Region during the 1960s.
He said the reference was concerning because of the potential for a land dispute to become entangled with religious and political tensions.
“We have spent many years revealing the Light (God) and preaching peace in this country. My message has always been ‘No War In Nigeria Come What May’,” Maharaj Ji said.
He maintained that the One Love Family had no interest in preventing any genuine religious organisation from practising its faith, insisting that Christians, Muslims and people of other beliefs should be able to worship peacefully.
“My concern is that nobody should use religion to cover a land dispute or allow a property disagreement to become a security problem,” he added.
The group said it would support a genuine investigation into the alleged attack, stressing that security agencies should determine whether an attack occurred, identify those responsible and publicly communicate their findings.
“If there has been an attack, let the security agencies investigate it properly, identify those responsible and make their findings known,” Maharaj Ji said.
The One Love Family further called for scrutiny of alleged forged land documents and other claims surrounding the disputed property, urging authorities to hear all sides before reaching conclusions.
It said the land was acquired from the Aladorin family for the establishment of a Centre for Conflict Resolution and other activities.
The group also alleged that attempts had previously been made to sell portions of the disputed land to multiple persons, but said such transactions did not resolve the ownership controversy.
Maharaj Ji urged all parties to abandon confrontation and allow the courts, the Anti-Land Grabbers Commission and other competent institutions to determine the competing claims.
He reiterated his “No War In Nigeria Come What May” position and appealed to Nigerians not to allow religious differences, personal disagreements or land disputes to trigger violence.
The One Love Family concluded by expressing support for peaceful engagement and urging the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, security agencies and traditional institutions to facilitate an impartial investigation and lawful resolution of the dispute.
