Emmanuel Thomas, Lagos
August 4, 2015 – Youths from Ijaw Progressive Congress and Eko Youth Front on Tuesday marched on the office of the Lagos State Governor, protesting on-going process to prosecute Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) as well as engineers that were employed in the construction of the building that collapsed in September, 12, 2014.
At least 116 people were killed, most of whom were citizens of South Africa, prompting the Lagos State Government to institute a commission of inquiry. The youths stormed Alausa with placards, wherein they wrote messages such as “No man will build his house and collapse it for any reason; stop the prosecution of our helper”.
Spokesman of the group, Mr. Innocent Agbo said that they were not paid to embark on the protest but they are doing it because of their belief in the General Overseer of the church, Pastor T.B. Joshua, whom they believe has provided solution to many in Nigeria and overseas.
“Go to his church, you will see widows, and youths that he is assisting on a daily basis”, adding that though he is not infallible it is unthinkable to associate him with the collapse of the building.
He said that before the building caved in on September 12, one helicopter hovered round the building which he said could have orchestrated the collapse of the structure.
“We believe that what has happened is controlled demolition. They could have deployed some technology that led to collapse of the structure “, he argued.
He said members of the group do not attend SCOAN but that among them are Muslims, people from Redeemed Christian Church, Winners and the Catholic Church.
