The Zion Prayer Movement Outreach has firmly denied online reports claiming its Spiritual Director, Evangelist Ebuka Obi, was attacked by gunmen during the recent commissioning of a free hospital in Aguleri, Anambra State.
In an official statement issued in Lagos by Evangelist Obi’s Media Adviser, Mr. Dan Aibangbe, the ministry described the viral video—published via a YouTube channel—as a “malicious fabrication fueled by wild imagination.” According to the statement, the video is believed to be artificially generated and is intended to cause panic, dampen public morale, and discourage attendance at the ministry’s upcoming international prayer crusade.
“This video is nothing short of a wicked fabrication. It completely misrepresents the reality of what was a peaceful, well-coordinated event, attended by top government officials, dignitaries, and thousands of worshippers,” Aibangbe stated.
Event Was Peaceful and Incident-Free
Mr. Aibangbe emphasized that the commissioning event was executed without incident, with top-level security arrangements in place to ensure the safety of all attendees. Contrary to the video’s claims of an alleged attack around 8 p.m., Evangelist Obi and his team reportedly left the venue safely by 4 p.m., heading to Owerri, Imo State, where they arrived without any disturbances.
“There was no gunfire, no security breach, and absolutely no threat to Evangelist Obi’s safety. The video’s description of a ‘Hollywood-style attack’ is pure fiction,” he added.
Video Flagged, Crusade Plans Unaffected
The ministry suggested the misleading video could be part of a coordinated effort to generate online traffic or to instill fear among international participants expected at the upcoming prayer crusade.
“We believe this video was either designed to go viral for profit or as a deliberate attack on the ministry’s growing influence and the faith of its followers,” said Aibangbe.
He urged worshippers, especially those travelling from the diaspora, to ignore the false narrative and attend the upcoming crusade with confidence, assuring them of both spiritual upliftment and robust security measures.
“Ngor Okpala in Imo State, the venue of the upcoming crusade, remains safe and secure. Our security arrangements cover crowd control, surveillance, and personal protection. Attendees can expect a powerful and peaceful encounter with God.”
Call for Vigilance and Responsible Media Sharing
The ministry also issued a general advisory to the public, encouraging individuals to verify information from trusted sources, refrain from sharing unverified content, and remain vigilant.
“We have already flagged the video for removal, and YouTube has been notified for appropriate sanctions. The public should treat such content with the suspicion it deserves and report similar activities to the appropriate authorities.”
Aibangbe concluded by saying, “Enemies of the Church will continue to fail. The power of God will always expose and defeat lies and deceit.”
