Anthony Iwuoma
Funeral activities for the leader of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, popularly known as Prophet TB Joshua, has left a sour taste in the mouths of residents of Ikotun area of Lagos.
Many of the residents, on Tuesday, had to trek long distances before catching vehicles to their various destinations because security operatives, including men of OP-MESA, police, LASTMA and the Lagos neighbourhood watch blocked two ends of the road at Ilewe Bus Stop and Ikotun Roundabout.
Commercial motorcyclists (okada riders), took advantage of the chaotic situation to hike their charges.
There were conflicting reports as to why the road was blocked. Some claimed that the late prophet’s body was inside the compound and there had to be adequate security to avoid anyone stealing it.
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Why anybody would steal the corpse of TB Joshua remained a mystery.
Others said the road was sealed off as a mark of respect for the controversial cleric, who was popular for his deliverance ministry, prophecies and philanthropy.
A security personnel who spoke on condition of anonymity said a programme was ongoing inside the church and that the crowd would be too difficult to manage once the service is over hence the preemptive blockade of the road.
However, many road users were not happy and wondered why the dead should cause pain for the living.
One Iya Seun complained, “That is one reason I just the country. When a big man died, the poor suffer but when the poor dies, nobody takes notice. How could people be subjected to this ordeal just because Prophet TB Joshua died. Was he the only person that in Ikotun since this year?
“In Nigeria, nothing for the poor. The rich gets all the privileges even in death. While alive, TB Joshua obstructed free flow of traffic. Now that he is dead, he is still inflicting pain on road users.
“Why must his death stop people from going to their normal activities; why must anyone block the road,” another stranded commuter, Gbenga Kolade, asked rhetorically.