Apostle Johnson Suleman, the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, has stirred significant controversy following comments he made during a recent church service, which have since gone viral on social media.
In the widely circulated video, the popular cleric boldly declared that anyone who dares to speak against him in Auchi, Edo State—his hometown and ministry base—would face fatal consequences at the hands of his fiercely loyal followers. He warned that such criticism would not be taken lightly and could lead to violent retaliation.
“If you want to die and you’ve been praying for how to die and death hasn’t come and you so desire death,” Suleman said in the video, “come to Auchi and stand by the front gate of our church and say something against me. Somebody will kill you, another will bury you, and the third will be doing praise and worship on your dead body.”
The statement has sparked widespread debate and backlash, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the implications of a religious leader encouraging, even jokingly, violence in response to criticism.
During his sermon, Suleman attributed the fierce loyalty of his followers to the “kindness” he claims to have consistently shown over the years. He stated that his generosity has extended even to individuals involved in cult-related activities, many of whom now consider themselves his defenders.
He recounted instances where cult members reportedly brought individuals to him for allegedly insulting him. “I’ve had cult boys bring people to me and say, ‘This boy was insulting you. We beat him and told him to apologize,’” he said. “I’ll ask them who they are, and they’ll say, ‘You may not like who we are, but you helped us.’ That’s kindness.”
The controversial remarks have drawn mixed reactions online. While some of his followers continue to praise his leadership and generosity, others have condemned the rhetoric, warning that such statements could incite violence and are unbecoming of a spiritual leader.
Legal experts and human rights advocates have also weighed in, urging authorities to investigate the comments and ensure that no one is above the law, regardless of religious or social status.
As the video continues to circulate, public discourse is growing over the role of religious figures in promoting peace and tolerance—and the dangerous consequences when their words are interpreted as endorsements of violence.
