President Muhammadu Buhari has moved against Christian religious
activities within the precincts of the Aso Rock presidential villa, a
source familiar with the matter has disclosed to The Trent.
The Aso Rock Villa Chapel serves as the official church of Aso Rock
where Christian activities inside the presidential villa are conducted.
According to an eyewitness who spoke to The Trent on Thursday,
September 3, 2015 on condition of anonymity, heavily armed men stormed
the Aso Rock Chapel on Sunday, August 30, 2015 denying worshippers
access to the church.
“Normally, services begin by 7am at the
church. But when we got there, we met armed security men who said we
cannot enter. They said they were acting on orders from above. We waited
outside till a few minutes past 8am before they allowed us to enter,”
the source disclosed.
A visibly embarrassed Vice President Yemi
Osinbajo, who worships at the Villa Church, arrived the Chapel and
could be seen managing to conceal a worried expression over the
incident.
When our reporter contacted Presidential Spokesman
Garba Shehu to confirm the development, he claimed he was not aware of
the incident. “What you are telling me is news to me. I am not aware of
this issue. There is a lot we are dealing with and I hope you are aware
the church was handed over to Vice President Osinbajo. So please call
Prince Laolu Akande, his spokesman to confirm this issue,” he said.
Further investigations by The Trent have revealed that Sunday’s move
was the second in a series of brazen attempts to shut down Christian
activities in the Villa.
Less than two months ago, the
Children’s Church of the Villa Chapel where the wife of the Vice
President, Mrs. Oludolapo Osinbajo worships with the children was closed
down on orders from above. According to our source, “Security concerns
were given as reasons for the closure of the Children’s Church.”
Attempts by this newspaper to reach Vice Presidential spokesman Laolu
Akande failed as his phone lines were unreachable at the time of filing
in this report.