Installation of CCTV should be made compulsory in churches, Ogun monarch advises CAN

By Kolawole Olayinka, Abeokuta

Eselu of Iselu Kingdom, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, His Royal Majesty Oba Ebenezer Akintunde Akinyemi (Akaosu I), has called for the installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in churches across the country.

This, he said, is to constantly monitor movements into and out of worship centres.

Oba Akinyemi made this known in an open letter to the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Supo Ayokunle, in reaction to the massacre at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State on Sunday.

The monarch explained that CAN should also mandate all churches in the country to purchase and use security gadgets for their protection.

“It is my sincere opinion that for the children of God to be courageous and feel safe, the Christian Association of Nigeria under your able leadership should put the safety of the children of God at the front burner. The Bible, in the book of Matthew 26:41, says ‘Watch and pray ….’

“It is good to pray fervently, but the scripture also asks us to be watchful. In short, my admonition to the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is that, as a matter of urgency, they should facilitate the deployment of some Closed-Circuit Televisions (CCTV) to every church in the country so as to constantly monitor the movement into and out of worship centres.

“The video footage from the CCTV will continually assist the church authorities to raise alarm to security agents when the need arises. 

“It is my belief that once this technology and other security gadgets are deployed in all churches across the country, the children of God will boldly and regularly congregate to worship the Almighty God.

“The assailants attacked a holy place where believers were worshiping the Almighty God. This gruesome attack is not only heinous, but sacrilegious.

“In fact, we must all stand up more than before to vehemently condemn and reject the invasion of churches by unknown gunmen. Thank God both good Muslims and Christians have continued to condemn the killings of Christians under the guise/cover of blasphemy in the country.

“CAN should continue to condemn the act of killing anyone, both Christians and Muslims under the pretense of blasphemy. It is indeed barbaric and unacceptable. Let us all direct our energies towards an outright stoppage of this madness in our dear country, Nigeria,” the royal father said.