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• Says Lagos govt yet to honour promise
By Vincent Kalu
For Dr. Solomon Olukunmi Ajao, it never rains, but pours.
In his words, about 30 years ago, when he founded the CAC, Warrior for Christ Mission, in Fagba, Lagos, he had the vision and mission of turning it into a mega church, where uncountable souls would be won for Jesus Christ.
To achieve this lofty ambition, he said he made so much sacrifice – spiritually and financially; denying himself the good things of life by committing every kobo that came his way into the ecclesiastical project; building an edifice where members worshipped God in an environment that is cosy for spiritual fervour.
Like a pack of cards, everything came cascading. The church building, which he spent about N50 million to erect, was razed to the ground by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protest of October 2020.
Dr Ajao poignantly narrated to the reporter how the entire thing happened, and how he had yet to recover from the devastating situation. He said he could still not fathom how and why he became a victim of the #EndSARS, protest, an agitation he knew nothing about.
According to the cleric, his newly purchased Subaru Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) was also set ablaze by the hoodlums on Wednesday, October 21, 2020.
However, Ajao was more of a victim of ethnic antagonism between the Yoruba and the Hausa in Fagba. According to him, the Hausa, hiding under the veil of #End SARS protest, allegedly razed his church and other buildings in the area.
Recounting how the incident occurred, the Oyo State born cleric linked the attack to tensions that predated the #EndSARS protest.
“It was the time of the #EndSARS protest that it happened. Many houses were burnt, but why this one is more than others is that there was a lady who sold local Jollof rice (Wanke in Hausa’s parlance) here,” he explained.
According to him, the Baale permitted the woman to sell food in front of the church, a decision he opposed.
“It was the Baale who gave the front of the church to her to sell food for those Hausa people who push trucks and do other menial jobs. I was not pleased with it, and I told them. The reason I wasn’t comfortable was based on a vision I had that one day they would a wage war against us, and it happened.”
He alleged that the situation degenerated as the food sellers and their customers began to occupy the area indiscriminately, messing up the entire area.
“They would come here every day in large numbers to have their breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They would even block the road, and nobody would challenge them. Even at night, you would still be hearing their noise. I went to talk to them about how they were messing up the area, which didn’t go down well with them,” he stressed.
Ajao said the disagreement escalated, prompting intervention by the Baale of Apalara 1 of Orile Iju, Balogun Kamoru, but the problem persisted. He added that after he recorded the videos of their unwholesome activities, the group allegedly began to harbour resentment against the church.
“So, during the #EndSARS protest, we were their easy target. They took advantage of that to set this church building ablaze. Everything was burnt to ashes, including the car that I had just bought then,” he said, noting that the structure has since become unsafe and needs to be demolished.
It was gathered that violence later broke out in the area during the same period of EndSARS protest, following a dispute over levies that some Yoruba indigenous groups imposed on Hausa truck drivers transporting cows from the North to Lagos abattoir, a situation that reportedly fuelled ethnic tension that led to the destruction of several properties.
The cleric said not fewer than 25 buildings, including his church, were destroyed, forcing the congregation to continue to worship outdoors. His newly purchased Subaru SUV, he said, was razed along with the church building.
“We have been worshipping under the sun, but it has not been easy during the rainy seasons. My heart bleeds, but Jesus is my joy because I don’t have anybody,” he said.
He added that some government officials, including Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, visited the scene after the incident, “ but they only took pictures and gave some money to some petty traders, who were also victims.”
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Ajao further disclosed that while some affected persons were later compensated by the state government, his church was not.
“Those who had the opportunity to go to the Lagos State government office were compensated,” he said.
Explaining the steps he took, the cleric said he eventually submitted all required documents at the Lagos State Government office in Alausa, Ikeja.
He claimed his name appeared on the list of beneficiaries, but no compensation was paid.
Ajao further emphasised that his losses were initially valued at ₦80 million, a figure arrived at with the help of professional quantity surveyors.
However, he said the Lagos State officials insisted the amount be reviewed downward, eventually slashing it to ₦48.7 million. Despite this adjustment, he added that he has not received any payment to date.
“When they asked me to do the estimate of my loss, I arrived at ₦80 million, but they later reduced it to ₦48.7 million. Since then, I haven’t got a dime,” he noted.
He alleged that the government had likely intervened and released compensation funds, but claimed that the officials in charge might have diverted the money.
In the final appeal, Ajao urged the government and kind-hearted Nigerians to intervene.
“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 greatest joy. If not, they should find an alternative way to compensate us for this great loss,” he said.
He also appealed to the federal and state governments, non-governmental organisations, and public spirited individuals to assist in rebuilding the destroyed church. He appeal is specifically to the Lagos State Government to come and fulfil its promise.
“I am using this opportunity to appeal to the Lagos State Government to help us rebuild the church that hoodlums set ablaze during the EndSARS protest, so that we can continue to propagate the gospel of Christ in an atmosphere that is conducive.
“I know there are some Christians and individuals that God has already blessed. Some of them are looking for a situation like this where they can render assistance anonymously. I’m also using this medium to appeal to them to join hands in rebuilding the house of God. I will be very grateful for whatever manner you assist us as God puts in your mind,” he said.
The prophet, who said he has served God faithfully for over three decades, stressed that he has never exploited his congregation.
“For over 30 years that I have been working in His vineyard, I have not done any shady deal that would tarnish my image, and the image of God. I have not gone to anyone for help because God has been marvellous to us, and we are contented with what we have until this happened to us.
“I don’t even exploit my members. I have always made the salvation of the soul paramount. I have always told them to give in their capacity and as it pleases them because God loves a cheerful giver,” Ajao emphasised.
He recalled that since the destruction of the church, worshippers have been holding services in the open.
“We have been worshipping under the sun, but it has not been easy in the rainy seasons. Many a time, we got drenched during the service. It was the voluntary donation some made that I used to arrange this tent we are doing church under today,” he said, adding that plans to rebuild the church were ongoing. He expressed hope that his appeal for financial assistance would yield fruits.
“After nearly three years of holding services under a temporary tent, the church, through the sacrificial donations of our members, was finally roofed with burnt corrugated iron sheets. A modest six-by-six block structure was then rebuilt; a work I personally carried out from start to finish,” the cleric further informed.
