Senior Pastor of Omega Fire Ministries Apostle Johnson Suleman has responded to criticism of pastors using security detail by comparing them to biblical characters.
He underlined that Jesus Christ was accompanied by his disciples, who were armed, demonstrating that even in biblical times, leaders had protection.
According to Suleman, “Jesus Christ had twelve disciples who followed him everywhere.” Jesus commanded Peter to sheath his sword after he chopped off someone’s ear with it, indicating that they were armed while they followed him.
By pointing out that Jesus had armed disciples and that contemporary pastors are frequently criticised for comparable protective measures, he further contended that the criticism of pastors employing bodyguards is baseless.
Suleman said, “Today, if a man of God has policemen around him, they will criticise him.”
Suleman has also voiced his displeasure with the way security forces handle preachers.
He described a time when the Department of State Services (DSS) in Ekiti State almost detained him, saying, “If I spend one day with security operatives, the damage that will happen in Nigeria will take one year to repair.