President
Muhammadu Buhari has moved against Christian religious activities within
the precincts of the Aso Rock presidential villa, a source familiar
with the matter has disclosed to The Trent.
The Aso
Rock Villa Chapel serves as the official church of Aso Rock where
Christian activities inside the presidential villa are conducted.
According
to an eyewitness who spoke to The Trent on Thursday, September 3, 2015
on condition of anonymity, heavily armed men stormed the Aso Rock Chapel
on Sunday, August 30, 2015 denying worshippers access to the church.
“Normally,
services begin by 7am at the church but when we got there, we met armed
security men who said we cannot enter. They said they were acting on
orders from above. We waited outside till a few minutes past 8am before
they allowed us to enter,” the source disclosed.
A visibly embarrassed Vice President Yemi
Osinbajo who worships at the Villa Church, arrived the Chapel and could
be seen managing to conceal a worried expression over the incident.
When our
reporter contacted Presidential Spokesman Garba Shehu to confirm the
development, he claimed he was not aware of the incident. “What you are
telling me is news to me. I am not aware of this issue. There is a lot
we are dealing with and I hope you are aware the church was handed over
to Vice President Osinbajo. So please call Prince Laolu Akande, his
spokesman to confirm this issue”, he said.
Further
investigations by The Trent have revealed that Sunday’s move was the
second in a series of brazen attempts to shut down Christian activities
in the Villa.
Less than
two months ago, the Children’s Church of the Villa Chapel where the wife
of the Vice President, Mrs. Oludolapo Osinbajo worships with the
children was closed down on orders from above. According to our source,
“security concerns were given as reasons for the closure of the
Children’s Church.”
Attempts
by this newspaper to reach Vice-Presidential spokesman Laolu Akande
failed as his phone lines were unreachable at the time of filing in this
report.
Source: The Trent
