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CHRISTIAN YOUTH GROUP THREATENS SOWORE FOR DEFENDING CRITICS OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS
James Adama Paul, convener of the Concerned Christian Youth Forum (CCYF), has issued a threat against human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, warning that the group may resort to taking the law into its own hands if Sowore continues to intervene in cases involving content creators arrested at the behest of Christian religious leaders.
He criticised Sowore for repeatedly blocking police attempts to violate the rights of content creators who speak out against Christian religious leaders.
Speaking during a protest in Abuja, as seen in a video obtained by SaharaReporters, Adama accused Sowore of interfering in legal processes and of consistently securing the release of individuals detained for criticising influential Christian clerics.
He warned that they may be forced to deal with Sowore and take the law into their own hands, referring to Sowore’s efforts to defend free speech and prevent rights violations by law enforcement.
“With what is happening now, it is clear he is trying to raise an army against the church—and we will no longer tolerate it. It’s either he stops, or we may be forced to take matters into our own hands. That’s what this means,” he warned.
Explaining why the group might resort to vigilante action against Sowore, Adama stated, “My issue with Sowore is that many of these individuals involved in promoting religious intolerance—acts that have gone far beyond what is acceptable in a civilised society—are being sponsored by him, based on our investigations.
“We have made a number of arrests across different parts of the country, and Sowore has intervened in several of these cases. In many instances, he has taken it upon himself to secure bail for the suspects. One prominent example is Olumide Ogunsayo John, also known as Seaking.
“This 32-year-old man made deeply disrespectful comments about an 83-year-old Christian elder who is globally respected, calling him a ‘stupid man’ and a ‘foolish boy.’ We arrested him, yet Sowore came to bail him out and has refused to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.”
Adama also accused Sowore of instigating national protests and undermining religious values, saying, “Sowore is calling for a national protest and encouraging further tension. Let it be clear: no one has a monopoly on violence.”
He referenced Sowore’s social media platforms, claiming that invitations from the Federal Intelligence Department are visible there.
“I have personally encountered him, and he openly declared that he does not believe in God. If he doesn’t, that’s his choice, but he should allow those of us who do to worship freely,” he said.
Adama expressed concern over alleged campaigns to discredit Christianity.
“Some of the people he’s backing are going live to say Christianity is a scam. This is unacceptable. If you come against our faith, we will respond, regardless of who you are. Gone are the days of silence,” he said.
“While we are followers of Christ and believe in forgiveness, we will now rise to defend our faith—by all means necessary.”
When asked to explain how Sowore, who is an activist known for fighting for the common good and giving a voice to the voiceless in society, could be sponsoring attacks against clerics, Adama said, “The last time we had an encounter, there were people present, and it was recorded—videos are available, and I can make them available to you. He stated clearly that I should never arrest anyone again, even those who go against the Christian faith. This is because he does not believe in Christianity.
“Now, if someone does not believe in Christianity, that is his personal choice. But encouraging others and building an army against the Christian faith is one of the most dangerous things that can happen in this country.”
“To answer your question further, there was a time when a group of young men went to a particular church after a service had ended. As a massive crowd was exiting, those boys brought out banners that read “#Buhari Must Go”—right there in front of the church crowd. Someone was videoing the incident, clearly trying to instigate the government against the church,” he said.
Adama noted that security agencies eventually picked up those protesters and began investigations.
He stated, “Sowore later came to that same church to meet with the man of God. After his meeting, he went outside and did a live recording, calling the man of God a liar and accusing him of orchestrating the arrest of those boys. He even went as far as organising a protest in front of the church. Yes, we were there.
We stopped the protesters from entering the church. Otherwise, things might have escalated further.”
When asked if there were others apart from Sowore, he said, “Yes, apart from Sowore, there are many others affiliated with him. Some of them even say openly that their content creation business on social media wouldn’t have thrived without these arrests—and without Sowore standing behind them like a godfather. These claims are verifiable and available on social media.”
Protest Against Sowore
The group had earlier announced plans to hold a peaceful protest in Abuja, citing what it described as a rise in attacks on the Christian faith and its leaders, while alleging that Sowore and his associates supported the attacks.
The CCYF had invited all Christian youths in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to join the protest on May 21 at Unity Fountain, opposite Transcorp Hilton in Maitama, Abuja.
To encourage widespread participation, Adama announced that free transportation—featuring buses adorned with CCYF banners—would be available from various locations across the city and all six area councils of the FCT.
A statement signed by Adama stated, “This protest is being organised to address the increasing disrespect and hostility directed toward Christianity and our religious leaders by Sowore and his associates.”
Adama, whose organisation is linked to prosperity preachers, went on to express concern, stating that Christianity and its leaders were being deliberately targeted, with beliefs and traditions facing disrespect, and the faith being undermined.
Adama has been behind several incidents involving the use of security forces to harass or detain individuals, particularly young Nigerians on TikTok, who have criticised prominent Christian religious leaders.
These arrests were often based on spurious allegations such as “blasphemy,” “cyberstalking,” or “defamation,” typically involving influential pastors or generalised commentary on church practices.
In some of these cases, content creators were picked up without due process and held incommunicado for days. Civil society groups and human rights advocates raised the alarm over what they called a coordinated abuse of state apparatus to silence dissent under the guise of religious respect.
Sowore, publisher of SaharaReporters and a vocal human rights activist, has repeatedly intervened in these cases. Using his platform and legal support network, Sowore publicised instances of unlawful arrests and mobilised public pressure to secure the release of those detained.
He has also condemned what he describes as the “weaponisation” of religion and the misuse of police power to enforce personal interests.
Sowore’s interventions have led to the release of some TikTokers and bloggers, and in several cases, he has called for disciplinary action against police officers who acted outside their legal mandate.
He has also challenged the involvement of Adama in the persecution of online critics, warning that it poses a serious threat to free speech and democratic norms in Nigeria.Travel guides
SaharaReporters has previously detailed how Adama orchestrated the arrest and detention of former Dunamis Church pastor Abraham Daniel and two others over alleged defamation.
Acting as a proxy for influential pastors, Adama has consistently leveraged law enforcement and security agencies to target and detain individuals who criticise perceived abuses within Nigerian Christianity or speak out against what some have called “pulpit banditry.”
In one instance, a Magistrate Court in Abuja remanded two relatives of Pastor Paul Enenche, Mr. Enenche Enenche and Alexander Enenche, at the Keffi Prison in Nasarawa State over accusations of defaming the pastor. Pastor Enenche is the founder and senior pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, a popular Pentecostal church based in Abuja.Travel guides
Altercation Between Sowore And Adama
A video which recently circulated online shows Sowore intervening to stop James Adama Paul from using the police to detain a TikToker and podcaster known as ‘KAA Truths.’ The confrontation was reportedly one of the key reasons the group planned its protest against Sowore.
In February, SaharaReporters revealed that the CCYF had petitioned the Nigeria Police Force’s Force Intelligence Department (FID) against social media commentator KAA Truths. The group accused him of conspiracy, cyberstalking, defamation of character, spreading injurious falsehoods, and inciting violence.Travel guides
This petition came after CCYF was previously involved in the arrest of TikToker Ogunsanwo Olumide John, popularly known as Seaking, over alleged disrespect toward Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
KAA Truths was subsequently invited for questioning by the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja via a letter signed by DCP Dickson Yunana Ayuba, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Admin), on behalf of the Deputy IG.
