The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministries has issued a strong rebuttal against the recent ridicule of its members’ testimonies circulating online.

The Church has firmly rejected accusations of fabricating testimonies and criticized the misleading nature of some viral videos.

In a statement released on Monday, the Church urged Nigerians to approach internet content with caution, warning against believing everything seen online.

The Church specifically condemned bloggers they described as “devilish,” accusing them of manipulating and taking statements out of context for sensationalism.

The backlash followed viral videos featuring testimonies from Church members, including one particularly controversial account where a member claimed to have ridden on a lion.

The Church emphasized that such testimonies are genuine expressions of faith and not fabricated stories.

The Church called on the public to disregard the disparaging comments and to approach such matters with discernment.

The Lord’s Chosen member in the testimony had said, “Something entered my back, lifted me up. It carried me like aeroplane to express.

“When it reached there, it dropped me. When it dropped me, I turned to look at what carried me and as I looked it was lion.

“So when the lion dropped me, the place was very narrow and tight, it now raised one hand up and asked me to go like this (pointing to the left). When I go, the lion said bye bye.”

In another viral video, a lady said he fought robbers and took their AK-47 rifles.

In the footage, the elderly woman revealed that she was attacked by armed robbers.

She said she “Miraculously gained control of their guns and ensured the arrest of three of the robbers.”

Similarly, a man revealed that he survived kidnapping, machete attacks, and gunshot wounds “without injury”.

However, reacting to the videos and the reactions trailing them, the Lord’s Chosen Church said the footages were doctored.

The Head, Public Relations and Media, of the church, Pastor Chidi Louis, described the videos as “a bid to discredit what God is doing.

“Nigerians should visit the Church’s platform and listen to the complete testimonies for better understanding. The woman defeated the armed men in a dream.

“Don’t believe everything you see on the internet. They just cut one part and made it look real. The woman was explaining her dream.

“The viral video is a fake one. It was doctored.

“Most of these bloggers are very wicked and devilish, they edited this testimony in a bid to ridicule the work of God.”

Also, the Lord’s Chosen Church media department, on its platform, described the clip as fake and urged the public to disregard it.

Furthermore, the church’s TikTok handle released the full clip of the lady’s testimony, clarifying that her story happened in her dream

At least three people were reportedly killed by armed bandits in a recent attack in Bakinpah-Maro, a locality within the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Naija News learnt that the assailants invaded a church within the area and gunned down Christian worshippers.

It was gathered that approximately 31 individuals, including a pastor, were abducted during the attack, which specifically targeted the ECWA and Catholic churches in the area.

Reports indicate that this tragic event took place on Sunday while church services were ongoing.

A former chairman of the Kajuru Local Government Area, Cafra Caino, has confirmed the distressing occurrence.

Caino told Leadership that the assailants, who arrived in significant numbers around 10 a.m., opened fire indiscriminately at the two churches.

He also mentioned that Bernard Gajera, a pastor from one of the churches, was among those taken by the perpetrators.

Attempts to contact the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Munir Hassan, were unsuccessful.

A week ago, a yet-to-be-ascertained number of nurses were taken hostage by bandits who stormed a Primary Health Care Center in Kaduna State recently.

Naija News learnt that the incident happened in Layin Dan Auta village, within the Kuyello Ward of the Birnin Gwari Area of the state.

The assailants were said to have initially targeted a primary school in Kuyello, located on the town’s periphery. However, when they were unable to find any students to abduct, they allegedly proceeded to the adjacent hospital, where they seized the nurses who were on duty.

A local leader, who chose to remain unnamed, verified the occurrence to Daily Trust, characterizing the situation as concerning.

“They arrived in the area and went straight to a nearby school, thinking they would find students. However, the school was empty, so they proceeded to the PHC in Kuyello and abducted the nurses on duty,” the source said.

Another youth leader from Kuyello, Baba Isah, has also verified the occurrence.

He mentioned that the two nurses were present during the assault by the bandits.

It is still uncertain whether any patients were taken, as the majority had already departed from the hospital.

The Nigerian government has begun a free programme to convert petrol-powered commercial vehicles to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Ibadan and Zaria, as part of efforts to promote cleaner energy and reduce fuel costs after the removal of subsidies.

In Ibadan, around 100 vehicles were converted at three locations, including a Mobil filling station on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway and two other sites in the city.

Louisa Afu, Business Development Executive of the Presidential CNG initiative, said the project aims to help vehicle owners cut costs while contributing to a cleaner environment.

Afu noted that the initiative, part of President Bola Tinubu’s push for sustainable energy, would expand to other regions. “Gas is cheaper, more sustainable, and safer,” she said, adding that Nigeria’s abundant gas reserves made CNG a viable alternative to petrol.

Local transport officials praised the programme as a positive step for the sector, though some, like CNG user Sowole Jayeola, called for further reductions in conversion costs to encourage more widespread adoption.

In Zaria, the government also launched its CNG initiative, starting with 50 vehicles. Dauda Suleiman, Team Lead at the National Institute for Transport Technology Centre, said the conversion kits were being provided for free to commercial drivers in the region.

The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has decried hardship Nigerians are going through as a result of economic policies of the federal government.

In his Eid-el Maulud message on Monday, Peter Obi called on Nigerians to show empathy to one another.

He enjoined Nigerians to embrace the message of Prophet Mohammed which is centered on love, compassion and kindness.

On his X handle, the former governor of Anambra State wrote, “I am most delighted to join the Islamic Community In Nigeria and globally in celebrating the Eid-El Maulud!

“This year’s celebration comes at a time when many of our fellow citizens are enduring severe hardships.

“Across the country, millions are grappling with the pain of economic challenges, lack of access to basic healthcare, and the distressing reality of countless children being out of school.

“These challenges weigh heavily on our collective conscience, reminding us of the Herculean work that remains to be done to uplift our people.

“The teachings of the Prophet—centered on love, compassion, and kindness—offer us the hope and guidance we need in these difficult times.

“His message calls us to be our brother’s keeper, to show empathy to those in need, and to work together in the spirit of unity. It is through this lens that we must address the inequalities that persist in our society, ensuring that no child is left without an education and no family suffers without access to healthcare.

“Let us use this occasion to reflect deeply on the values that bind us and renew our commitment to building a Nigeria where every individual, regardless of background or belief, has the opportunity to thrive.

“Together, we can overcome these trying times and create a more just, equitable, and prosperous nation for all.

“Eid al-Maulud Mubarak! Wishing Muslim families peace, joy, and prosperity.

“May your prayers bring lasting peace and security to our troubled nation.”

Troops of the Nigerian Army have recorded another success in the fight against terrorism by killing a notorious bandit kingpin, Baleri Fakai.

Reports obtained by Naija News on Monday revealed that Baleri Fakai was among thirty (30) bandits who were neutralized recently in the Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Baleri Fakai is said to be a close associate and superior to Bello Turji, another infamous bandit leader.

Multiple sources, including security analysts, have confirmed that Fakai has indeed met his waterloo days after appearing invincible in a video shared on TikTok.

Former Presidential aide, Bashir Ahmed, also shared the news of his killing on his X handle on Monday.

Ahmed wrote, “WONDERFUL: It has been confirmed that the joint security forces have eliminated the notorious bandit leader Baleri Fakai, along with 30 other terrorists, in Maru, Zamfara state. Baleri Fakai was a close ally to murderer Bello Turji, who will be joining him soon, in Sha Allah.”

Naija News reports that the latest development brings the record to about five bandit leaders eliminated in a 72 hour span.

Earlier, troops from Operation Hadarin Daji announced the killing of four notorious bandit leaders in Zamfara State.

It was gathered that the criminals, identified as Ibrahim Nagure, Lawali Dodo, Kadiri, and Jambaleri, were killed during a military operation that also neutralized Halilu Sububu, a key figure behind numerous terrorist activities in the North West.

Meanwhile, military forces apprehended another wanted terrorist kingpin, Hosseini Osman, in Plateau State.

He was captured in Ganawuri village, Riyom local government area, where he confessed to organizing several deadly attacks, including a recent assault on Ganawuri village that claimed the lives of innocent civilians.

Osman also revealed his involvement in a local kidnapping syndicate responsible for a series of abductions.

Using information obtained from Osman, troops swiftly mobilized to Kyaram village in Kanam local government area, where they successfully rescued several kidnapped victims.

In a separate operation, PRNigeria sources confirmed that troops launched a strategic ambush on fleeing terrorists from the Sambisa Forest heading towards the Mandara Mountains in Gwoza local government area.

This led to significant casualties among Boko Haram fighters and the seizure of a large cache of weapons and ammunition.

The Lagos-headquartered church was founded by Lazarus Muoka on December 24, 2002, with the aim of “preaching the undiluted word of God”.

But in the past years, the Lord’s Chosen has been at the center of controversy due to its unconventional miracles.

Recently, some social media users posted old clips showing church members sharing their testimonies, sparking questions and concerns about the authenticity of the miracles. 

In one of the footage, an elderly woman revealed she was attacked by four armed robbers. She said she “miraculously gained control of their guns and ensured the arrest of three of the robbers”.

Similarly, a man revealed that he survived kidnapping, machete attacks, and gunshot wounds “without injury”.

Another man alleged that a lion rescued him from kidnappers by lifting him into the air and guiding him to safety.

“Before you know it something entered my back, lifted me and carried me from there to the express. When it reached there, it dropped me and I turned to look at what carried me, it was a Lion,” he added. 

“So where the lion dropped me was very tight and narrow, he now raised his one of his hands and said I should go like this. When I left, he told me bye bye.”

See video clips and reactions below:

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited says it purchased premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in dollars.

In a social media post on Monday, the NNPC said naira transactions would commence on October 1.

“The NNPC Ltd can confirm that it is paying Dangote Refinery in USD for September 2024 PMS offtake, as Naira transactions will only commence on October 1st, 2024,” the statement reads.

NNPC also released the estimated pump price of petrol based on prices set by the Dangote refinery.

On September 14, Wale Edun, the minister of finance, had said from October 1, the refinery would supply PMS and diesel to the domestic market in naira.

“From October 1, NNPC Ltd. will commence the supply of about 385,000 bpd of crude oil to the Dangote refinery, to be paid for in naira,” the minister had said.

“In return, the Dangote refinery will supply PMS and diesel of equivalent value to the domestic market, to be paid in naira.”

On September 15, the NNPC commenced petrol lifting at the refinery’s gantry after an extended period of price negotiations.

The development followed the deployment of a fleet of NNPC’s trucks to the refinery on September 14.

At the close of loading on Sunday, the NNPC had said it bought petrol from Dangote refinery at N898 per litre.

However, the Dangote refinery countered the claim, describing it as “both misleading and mischievous”.