Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), declared on Tuesday, June 23, that terrorism has arrived at his personal doorstep, urging the United States and its allies to form a stronger international coalition to assist Nigeria in confronting its escalating security crisis. The prominent Christian leader warned that the West African nation's worsening insecurity now threatens regions far beyond those initially affected, surpassing the capacity of local institutions acting alone.
Adeboye's Urgent Appeal in Washington, D.C.
Speaking at the inaugural U.S./Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala in Washington, D.C., where he received a Lifetime Achievement Award, Adeboye addressed an audience comprising religious leaders, U.S. policymakers, Nigerian diplomats, human rights advocates, and members of both Nigerian and American communities. He emphasized that terrorism is no longer a distant problem but a personal reality for him and countless Nigerians. “Terrorism is now at my doorstep,” Adeboye stated, calling for the United States and other Western nations to deepen their support for Nigeria's fight against terrorism.
The event, organized by Save Nigeria Group USA and the U.S.-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition, was held at the Hilton Garden Inn Washington DC/U.S. Capitol under the theme “Thank You, America. Please Do More.” The gala served as a platform to advocate against terrorism and religious persecution while honoring individuals recognized for defending religious freedom, human rights, and justice in Nigeria.
Laolu Akande: Calling Attention to Killings
Former presidential spokesman and host of Inside Sources on Channels Television, Laolu Akande, also spoke at the event. He explained, “When we call attention to the killings in Nigeria, we don’t do it to make the Nigerian government look bad, no, not at all. We do it because, as human beings, we can’t look away while people are being killed and abducted.” Akande added that the effort aims to “get help from those who might be able to help the Nigerian government and people to end the killings and the violence.” He co-hosted the event and received the Voice of Truth Award on behalf of Channels Television's Inside Sources with Laolu Akande.
Adeboye, who had previously presided over the RCCG Annual Convention in Dallas, Texas, stressed that the scale of Nigeria's security challenge exceeds what local institutions can handle alone, necessitating robust international support.
Honors for Adeboye and Oyedepo
Following the gala, a statement issued by Save Nigeria Group USA and the U.S.-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition leaders—including President Stephen Osemwegie, Media Director Victor Onyeka Ben, and Public Relations Director Autumn Miller—said the event was designed to rally international support for combating terrorism and religious persecution in Nigeria while honoring champions of religious freedom. Adeboye and his wife, Pastor Folu Adeboye, received the Patriarchs of Faith Award for their contributions to the global Christian faith and humanitarian service. Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, also received the same honor and was represented by Pastor Deji Akin.
Adeboye's Near-Death Experience
In a separate testimony at the annual Special Holy Ghost Service themed “Joy Unspeakable,” Adeboye recounted how he nearly lost his life seven years ago during an evangelism program due to poor road conditions. He revealed that his health deteriorated so severely that, for the first time, he spent Christmas Day that year in a sickbed. After falling ill in Ilesha, Osun State, he was too weak to travel by road, prompting a helicopter charter to airlift him to the RCCG camp on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. However, some individuals attempted to prevent the helicopter's takeoff, even damaging one of its windows in the process.
The gala underscored the urgent need for international collaboration to address Nigeria's security crisis, with Adeboye's personal testimony highlighting the pervasive threat of terrorism across the country.
