President of Apostolic Grace Network Inc., Apostle (Dr.) Lawrence Bamilaw, has urged President Bola Tinubu to replicate in Nigeria the same swift and decisive intervention he reportedly deployed to avert a coup in the Benin Republic, to tackle insurgency and rising insecurity across the country.
Speaking with journalists ahead of the 2025 African 24-Hour Marathon Praise at the WOCDIF Centre in Osogbo, Bamilaw said the President’s rapid move in Benin demonstrated Nigeria’s dominance on the continent. He insisted that similar courage must be applied at home, where innocent citizens continue to die.
“Please, Mr. President, let’s take the same decisive action. That action is laudable. It shows that we are indeed the giant of Africa and the big brothers other nations depend on. The same thing that was done in Benin, please let’s repeat it in Nigeria. Let’s stop this insecurity,” he said.
Bamilaw highlighted the scale of the problem, noting that both Muslims and Christians are dying. “How many people need to die before we take decisive action? We are tired of losing our people. Nobody deserves to die untimely. I urge the President to take the same decisive action and put an end—permanent end—to insurgency,” he added.
He also called on the President to combine military intelligence with spiritual intervention, emphasising that both are necessary for national stability. Using the biblical example of King Jehoshaphat, he said praise and prayer can complement security strategies.
Bamilaw further urged Nigerians to stop attacking religious leaders, stressing that clerics are not responsible for the country’s problems but the leaders. “Men of God don’t collect allocations,” he added.
Speaking on the upcoming event, he said thousands of worshippers from different denominations will converge from Friday 3 p.m. to Saturday 3 p.m. for the African 24-Hour Marathon Praise. The event will feature Prophet Mark Akibiyi, Bishop Mike Bamidele, Prophetess Bisi Alawiye, Pastor Femi Praise, and others.
“In our own capacity, we shall be raising the hands of government in praise and prayer. God is still powerful. Let us not undermine the power of prayer,” Bamilaw said.
