How gullible Nigerians get duped on religious ground
In Nigeria, issues of religion are taken very seriously, if not above death; it is next to death to an average believer. Here, it is not about the religion either Christianity, Islam or African traditional religion, rather it is about followership. Hence, it is not surprising to hear or see people go the extreme in defense of their religion or belief.
Therefore, it becomes easier for people to feed on unsuspecting Nigerians for religious practices. Many Nigerians have been duped on religious ground because of their level of gullibility, which has given rise to the rate of cybercrime in recent years.
It is no longer uncommon to get a ‘friend invite’ on social media especially on face book and Twitter from well known preachers or religious leaders across Nigeria. However, many of these ‘friend invite’ are fake and have no connection whatsoever with the preachers, even though the invite bears their name and carry their images.
Recently, a ‘friend invite’ was sent to me by one certain Emmanuel Okereke who claim to be the general overseer of Global Success Ministries, Lagos. However, after accepting the invite, some messages were sent in quick succession playing and appealing to my sense of fear, trying to cajole into donating some money to the ministry.
In similar manner, on Thursday, July25, another ‘friend invite’ was sent to me again on Facebook. This time around the invite came from another well known Lagos-based pastor in the person of Godman Akinlabi, the senior pastor of the Elevation Church. Minutes after accepting the invite, the following message was sent:
“Child of God I don’t know you but God knows you well, I was led by the spirit of the Lord to go through your profile and pray for you, as I was praying for you I was taking to the realm of the spirit to see things around you I see favour from God and I see more spiritual attacks the enemies are working on holding your favour from God. The Lord said I should tell you to sow a seed of Favour and Breakthrough to the lives of those children in FRANCIS UMAGOH OTEMOH ORPHANAGE FOUNDATION Motherless Home in Edo State while I guide you through with prayers because the Lord wants to put your enemies to shame and also manifest his promises in the life of your family and you if only you believe in him and do what he commands, you will testify to the Glory of God. Call the M.D in charge of the motherless home now on +2349027996899 to reach them. God bless you”.
A call to the number indicated that the name in the message; one Francis Umagoh Otemoh is the owner of the telephone line and is the MD of the orphanage, which he claimed is based in Igara, Akoko-edo, Edo State, but will not give detailed address of the orphanage. He also refused to give further details about the orphanage or why he chose to use the name and image of Godman Akinlabi. However, Francis was quick to give account details when informed about possible donation to the orphanage; but, the bank account details he gave bears another person’s name (Ahmed Arafat 0114731354 Union Bank).
To get more clarification from the Elevation Church about Godman’s support for any orphanage in Edo or any other place. I called Pastor Mensah of the Elevation Church who acts as the assistant to the senior pastor of the church. According to Mensah, the Facebook account is a fake account and that the church has reported the case.
Responding to BDSUNDAY on the issue, Reverend John Olakunle Ojo, the Minister of Education, Good News Baptist Church, Surulere, said: “The name of these pastors sells and it’s like somebody using Adeboye’s name; people will want to respect that name and would want to fall for it.