CLEARLY and from all indications, these are not the best of times for many nations across the world. Rising insurrection, dehumanising hunger, debilitating poverty, sharp decline in morality, less value for human life, a general sense of apathy and absence of peace have all become indicative of a humanity that is at war with itself. Social alienation and economic instability with sheer capitalist tendencies lacking a human face continue to plummet a once shared togetherness and camaraderie that the globe earlier enjoyed. Human relations have been reduced to one long night of suspicion, frustration and lack of unanimity. Violence, hate and allied underpinnings have continuously earmarked the umbrella of human co-existence. Since the commencement of the year 2019, the rivulets of violence have given way to shattering cascades of extremism. Indeed if the world had had listening ears and a perceptive heart, the warnings that came from the revered senior cleric of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet T.B. Joshua, in January signaled what to expect and the crucial need to be guided by God’s own leading.
Presidency queries Fowler over ‘poor’ performance
In his message, T.B. Joshua seen at an undisclosed prayer mountain, stated that he had been fasting and praying concerning a 2019 which he described as a “fearful year.” He continued further that “I am here because I know where I need to grow. When we know where we need to grow, it is victory itself. I am here to know the mind of God concerning this fearful year 2019 and also to pray for you and the world at large.” Indeed, events since his announcement that the year would be fearful have left humanity bewildered by the crippling unrest and unbridled killings. In Somalia, two UN staff and a contractor were injured when mortars fired by Al-Shabaab landed in a UN compound in Mogadishu. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack. In Mopti Region, Mali, 37 civilians were killed in an attack perpetrated by Dozo extremists in the Mopti region. Many houses were burnt and livestock were taken away, while several others were also injured. In Al-Sayyal, Syria, More than 20 Syrian soldiers were killed when ISIL launched an attack towards an army camp in the village of Al-Sayyal. The militants fled to the desert after the attack.
In Barkin Ladi, Nigeria, several houses were burnt in fresh attacks in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. The attacks occurred on Sunday and the New Year’s Eve. In Barsalogho Department, Burkina Faso, 49 people were killed in both jihadist attacks and ethnic clashes caused by jihadists. The events started when a jihadist group killed 6 people. Afterward, people from the ethnic group of the Mossi retaliated against the Fulani community, committing many acts of violence in which 43 were killed. In total 49 people were killed and many were injured in both of the attacks. A total of 6,103 people are displaced. The events occurred in the area of Barsaloglo. In Sabha, Libya, Two suicide blasts killed 3 Libyan soldiers and injured another one in the town of Ghadwa, near Sabha. The first blast was near a police station and killed 3 and injured 1, while the other suicide blast occurred after the suicide bomber was arrested in the police station. No one was injured or killed in the second suicide blast. ISIL is suspected of being behind the attack.
In Dobeln, Germany, in front of an office of the right-wing populist AfD in Döbeln, Saxony, a bomb exploded. Three German nationals were arrested and the terrorism department of the Police of Saxony is investigating a possible left-wing extremist motive. In South West Region, Cameroon, armed men burned down the residence of Minister Dion Ngute in Bobongo, Ekondo-Titi. In other incident three policemen were injured when the local gendarmerie brigade came under attack from armed separatist fighters in Mbelenka, a locality in the Lebialem Division. In Fundong separatists killed two soldiers and wounded two more in Fundong, seizing their weapons.
In Nangade District, Mozambique, seven civilians were killed after their vehicle was stopped by insurgents in the Nangade District. The armed men opened fire on the van and made the occupants leave the van and then they beheaded the driver and killed six other people. In Beni, Democratic Republic of Congo, 7 civilians and 3 soldiers were killed when ADF rebels attacked an army position in a village close to Beni. 2 other soldiers were left wounded in the attack. In Gasseliki, Burkina Faso, 12 civilians were killed and 2 were injured when militants attacked the town of Gasseliki in Burkina Faso. The militants also caused significant damage to the town, most of these attacks are attributed to the Al-Qaeda branches of Ansar-ul-Islam or JNIM. In Nairobi, Kenya, at least one suicide bomber stormed the luxury complex DusitD2 hotel in Nairobi and detonated his explosives. Several gunmen took hostages and attacked the hotel with firearms. At least 21 people were killed including a British and an American citizen, 28 other people were injured and five attackers were also killed.
In Derry, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, a car bomb exploded in the center of Derry, Northern Ireland. Nobody was hurt in the bombing and police is investigating Irish militants who may have carried out the attack. In Kidal, Mali, ten UN peacekeepers were killed and 25 others were injured when Al-Qaeda linked jihadists attacked a UN peacekeeping base that houses Chadian peacekeepers, several terrorists were also killed, the attack took place in the area of Kidal. Gadchiroli district, India, Maoists killed 3 villagers and kidnapped 5 others in the Gadchiroli district. The Maoists suspected that those killed were police informers. In Geidam, Nigeria, Boko Haram attacked the village of Geidam in Yobe, killing 8 soldiers and causing injuries to multiple others, several terrorists were killed in the attack, the terrorists also looted several grocery stores and then burnt them. The catalogue of carnage seems overwhelming yet hope resides where God’s word is honoured.
Repeatedly, Prophet Joshua has not stopped reeling out God’s instruction to a troubled world. A prophet reveals God’s mind as led by His Holy Spirit. If there was any time the world needs to listen to the man in the Synagogue, it is clearly now.
- Oyetimi writes via joyetimi2002@gmail.com
and then