Pastor David Ibiyeomie, the founder and senior pastor of Salvation Ministries, has issued a fiery warning to bloggers and social media users, threatening legal action and arrest for anyone publishing news about him or his church. The controversial cleric, known for his outspoken declarations, stated emphatically that he does not subscribe to the biblical principle of “turn the other cheek,” asserting his own “gospel” of pre-emptive retaliation.
In a video that has gone viral, Pastor Ibiyeomie declared, “Don’t carry news about me or my church. If not, I’ll arrest and lock you up.” He went on to say, “I don’t believe in slap me, I turn the other cheek; I’ll fight you. My gospel is, before you slap me, I slap you.”
The pastor’s strong words were directed at those he accused of twisting his messages and inciting other bloggers. He also suggested that some of his own church members were complicit in spreading negative narratives about him. “You know what they do? They will carry news and incite other bloggers. And some of you in this church are part of it. They plant you inside the church and instead of you listening to the message and get blessed, you now pick one thing and twist, say what I didn’t say,” he added.
Ibiyeomie’s stance reinforces previous threats he has made against individuals he perceives as insulting him or his spiritual father, Bishop David Oyedepo. His latest warning has sparked fresh debate on social media regarding freedom of speech, the role of religious leaders, and the interface between spiritual authority and legal recourse in Nigeria.
