The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has said that prayer was the best option for peace to reign in Nigeria and putting an end to the insurgency of Boko Haram in the Northeast.
Adebayo made this revelation during a courtesy visit on the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Usman Kadafur, at the Government House, Maiduguri, on Thursday.
The pastor disclosed that he reached the state, Wednesday and directed worshippers “to seek the face of God over the state of security and other challenges facing the country.
“A combination of physical and spiritual battle had become necessary to end the menace”.
The pastor also said that “spiritual” intervention was needed side by side the current anti terrorism efforts in order to defeat Boko Haram and other extremist groups threatening Nigeria’s peace and security.
“There are problems that you cannot solve with just human ability, it takes God to get some of these bandits to get to surrender.
“Because even if you offer them everything, some of them may still turn their back and go back to what they were initially doing.
“We have come to pray on the land. My congregation and I have been praying. I believe God wants me to step on the land and cry and pray for the land and we have been praying since Wednesday,” he said.
He made an explanation that Maiduguri was the 16th place where his congregation hosted prayers.
”We went around the world. The Church was in 196 locations globally.
“Sir, I thank the almighty God for this meeting as this is the first time in my life of visiting Maiduguri. I have had always wanted to come long before now but somehow it has not been possible.
“My wife and I and some of our officials have come here and seen for ourselves that the governor and his wonderful government have been doing a lot under very difficult situations.
“We believe that if things had been easier this government could have done a lot more for the people.
“In our own little corner at the headquarters in Lagos, we have tried whatever little bit we could to show the government that we are particularly interested in Borno state,” Adeboye said.
While revealing some of his interventions of the church, the RCCG leader revealed that, “We built a little primary school, a skills acquisition and vocational training center where different trades like shoe making, sewing and other trades are being learnt.
“We also built accommodation for some of the displaced families and also contributed to the hospitals by bringing machines for kidney dialysis, but much more than that, we have been praying.
“We have been praying because before these troublemakers came, Borno was one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria. I remember in those days, anyone could go to anywhere here at anytime of the day and night.”
Adeboye acknowledged that Borno state was known for peace.
”I was particularly touched when the Boko Haram crisis erupted.
“There are problems that you cannot solve with just human ability, it takes God’s intervention.
“The welcome we got in Borno is genuine. Please, express my love and well wishes to our beloved government,” he added.
The deputy governor while speaking earlier recognized the support of the renowned pastor and other Christian faithful.
He also agreed with Adeboye, that it was important to seek God’s intervention to put an end to the 13-year-old insurgency that has been battling the state.
“We are happy that men of God like you are visiting our state to pray so that God can forgive us and restore peace,”he said.
The second in command to the governor commended the church for the donation of skills acquisition materials, giving support to the IDPs.