The Public Relations Officer of the First African Church Mission, Soneye Sunday, has alleged in an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters that he was brutally assaulted by police officers and senior church leaders during the denomination’s annual convention on August 14, 2025, in Omo Ijebu, Lagos State.
The convention, which coincided with the church’s Founders’ Day, turned violent after Soneye posed a question during proceedings that reportedly angered some leaders.
He claimed that policemen at the venue, acting in concert with the clerics, beat him until he lost consciousness.
According to Soneye, he was rushed to hospital where doctors confirmed he had slipped into a coma from the beatings.
He described the attack as an attempted murder and accused church leaders of moving swiftly to cover up the incident and silence him.
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He further alleged that efforts have been made to prevent him from seeking justice or speaking publicly, insisting that the church hierarchy is more concerned with protecting its image than addressing the assault.
As of Friday, August 29, 2025, both the Lagos State Police Command and the First African Church Mission leadership are yet to respond to the allegations.
Founded in 1891, as a breakaway from the Anglican Church, the First African Church Mission is one of Nigeria’s oldest indigenous Christian denominations, with branches across the country.
The claims, if proven, would mark one of the biggest scandals to hit the church in recent years and raise questions about the role of security forces at religious gatherings.