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TB Joshua raped, tortured members – BBC investigation ( + Video)
TB Joshua raped, tortured members – BBC investigation ( + Video)
No fewer than 25 persons have given eyewitness accounts bordering on allegations of sexual assault, physical abuse, faked miracles and trauma -allegedly suffered in the hands of a late Nigerian pastor, Temitope Joshua, aka TB Joshua, BBC reports Monday.
Joshua, one of Africa’s most influential religious leaders and richest pastors, had the world at his feet during his lifetime.
He was the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, a 12-storey building, situated in the Ikotun area of Lagos State, where he lived alongside many of his followers.
Joshua was popular for his miracles – which ‘delivered’ people – followers and visitors – of any ailment, ranging from cancer and HIV/AIDS to chronic migraines and blindness.
The healings performed by Joshua caught the attention of a far-reaching global audience among evangelical churches throughout Europe and Africa in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Many of his followers were drawn by his philanthropy, but most came for his so-called miracles.
The clergy, born in 1963, died on Saturday, June 5, 2021, a week before his 58th birthday.
The cause of his death was not revealed.
However, a statement by the church said the clergyman spent his last moment on earth in the service of God.
However, the BBC said it conducted a two-year investigation, in collaboration with an international media platform – Open Democracy, which involved more than 15 BBC journalists across three continents.
The report stated that former insiders estimated that Joshua made tens of millions of dollars from pilgrims and other money streams – fundraising, video sales, and stadium appearances abroad.
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The investigation centered around allegations of sexual assault, physical abuse, solitary confinement, and fake miracles, amongst others.
“More than 25 eyewitnesses and alleged victims, from the UK, Nigeria, Ghana, US, South Africa and Germany, have provided accounts of what it was like inside Joshua’s compound, with the most recent experiences in 2019.
“Testimony from dozens of survivors suggests Joshua was abusing and raping young women from around the world several times a week for nearly 20 years.” the report noted.
One of the victims who was part of the ‘disciples,’ an elite group of followers who served and lived with Joshua inside his compound; 21-year-old female Briton, Rae, gave a recount of her experience.
She was, at that time, studying graphic design at a university in Brighton, UK, in 2002.
A close friend of Rae, Carla, recalled how they both travelled to Nigeria in search of a mysterious man who could seemingly heal people with his hands. He was a Christian pastor, with a black beard, in white robes. His name was TB Joshua. His followers called him “The Prophet.”
Rae and Carla planned to visit his church, the SCOAN, for just one week. But Rae never came home. She had moved into Joshua’s compound.
“I left her there,” says Carla, tears flowing freely. “Never will I ever forgive myself for that.
“For me, it was like she died, but I couldn’t grieve her,” Carla revealed.
Rae, in her account, stated that she was gay and thought being healed by Joshua would solve her predicament.
She narrated, “I was gay and I didn’t want to be,” she says. “I thought: ‘Well, maybe this is the answer to my problems. Maybe this man can straighten me out. Like if he prays for me, I won’t be gay anymore.’”
Rae described the moment she stepped foot into the Synagogue, saying, “I had a really involuntary reaction. I just broke down in floods of tears.”
She stated that at that point, Joshua singled her out to become a “disciple.”
She had thought the clergyman would “cure” her sexuality and learn under his tutelage, but to her imagination, her thought never materialised.
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“We all thought we were in heaven, but we were in hell,” adding, “And in hell terrible things happen.”
Rae narrated how she went through psychological trauma for two years, during which she was forbidden from leaving the compound, and nobody inside was allowed to talk to her., adding that she attempted to commit suicide five times.
Many of the victims said it happened frequently – as much as two to four times a week – for the duration of their time in the compound. Some described violent rapes which left them struggling to breathe or bleeding.
Many believed they were the only ones being assaulted and did not dare share what was happening to them with the other disciples, as they were all encouraged to report on each other.
Rae noted that it’s “extremely difficult to understand how somebody can go through psychological abuse to the extent that they lose their critical thinking.”
“I was basically in total isolation… I had a complete breakdown. I tried to commit suicide five times,” she said.
After spending 12 years inside Joshua’s compound, Rae returned to England.
She had slipped away from the disciples while travelling with the church on a tour to Mexico, stating, “He made a huge mistake, he lost control of me.”
Rae stated that it was only after she left that she realised that her family and friends had been sending her emails. She had never received them.
“On the outside, I look normal, but I’m not. This story is like a horror story. It’s like something you watch in fiction, but it’s true,” Rae said while she recalled the tragic trauma and the impacts it’s had on her.
She expressed her disappointment that Joshua didn’t wait to face the consequences of the atrocities he had committed before his death.
“TB Joshua dying before facing justice for the atrocities he committed, has been deeply frustrating. It’s only added to the gross sense of injustice felt by all of us as his victims,” she noted.
BBC stated that it contacted SCOAN with the allegations in the investigation. They did not respond to them but denied previous claims against Joshua.
“Making unfounded allegations against Prophet TB Joshua is not a new occurrence… None of the allegations was ever substantiated,” the church stated.
The BBC stated that former followers have previously tried to speak out about abuse, but say they had been silenced or discredited by SCOAN, while two said they were physically assaulted.
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When the BBC’s Africa Eye was filming outside the church, a security guard shot above the heads of the crew after they refused to hand over their material, the report noted.
A Nigerian, Bisola, who was also a ‘disciple,’ stated that she was raped multiple times by the late clergyman.
Bisola, who spent 14 years inside the compound, added that she was asked to recruit virgin girls into the disciple fold under threats of violence.
“TB Joshua asked me to recruit virgins for him… So that he could bring them into the disciple-fold and disvirgin them,” she revealed.
Bisola told the BBC that courting Westerners was a key tactic employed by Joshua
“He used the white people to market his brand,” she said.
The report stated that many of the young people who left their home countries to meet Joshua in the early 2000s didn’t pay for their tickets.
It added that Church groups across England raised funds to send pilgrims to Lagos to witness these miracles – and Joshua contributed Scoan money himself, senior former church insiders said.
Later, once the church was well established, Joshua charged high prices for pilgrims to come and stay.
A broadcast journalist in Namibia, Jessica Kaimu, narrated that she was raped by Joshua at the age of 17, in the bathroom of his penthouse, within weeks of her becoming a disciple.
She stated that Joshua wasn’t moved by her screams, saying, “I was screaming and he was whispering in my ear that I should stop acting like a baby… I was so traumatised, I couldn’t cry.”
Kaimu noted that she was raped for five years throughout her stay as a disciple.
A woman who craved anonymity stated that it happened to her twice before the age of 15.
“It was so painful, he violated me. Words cannot properly express it. It scarred me for life,” she said.
The report noted that there were accounts by four of Joshua’s male personal servants who were given the job of clearing up the physical evidence of this abuse.
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“We’d never… seen anything like that before,” said a journalist who covers African religion, Solomon Ashoms, adding, “The mysteries that he had, the secrets that he carried, [were] what people followed.”
Another victim, Victoria (not real name), stated that she spent more than five years in the compound, adding that some victims were often hand-picked by Joshua from the church congregation.
While recounting her ordeal, Victoria said she was picked out while attending the church’s Sunday school, and says she was raped in Joshua’s private quarters a few months later, after her parents entrusted her into his care.
She was later recruited as a resident disciple.
Victoria said TB Joshua ordered some of his most trusted Nigerian disciples to help identify new victims, identifying the group which was informally known as the “fishing department.”
A former South African disciple, Sihle, narrated that she had three forced abortions in the church.
Sihle said, “You are given a concoction to drink and you get sick. Or they put these metal pieces in your vagina and they extract whatever. And you don’t know whether they’re [accidentally] pulling out your womb.”
The investigative report noted that the disciples served Joshua’s every need, from massages to helping him dress, and spray his perfume when he entered the room.
They also placed plastic gloves on his hands so he could eat his food without touching a crumb.
A man once regarded as TB Joshua’s number two in the church, Agomoh Paul, who left after 10 years in the compound, revealed that the whole miracle thing was scripted.
“That guy [was] a genius. Everything… [he did was] planned out,” Paul stated.
A major part of this planning was the faking of the “miracles” said Paul, which he noted he oversaw.
He and other sources say that those “cured” had often been paid to perform or exaggerate their symptoms before their supposed healing took place.
In some cases, they say, people had been unknowingly drugged or given medicine to improve their conditions while at the church, and later persuaded to give testimony about their recovery. Others were falsely told they had tested positive for HIV/AIDS and that, thanks to Joshua’s ministrations, they had now become virus-free.
Paul also noted that TB Joshua “wanted to control everybody, everything. What he was really scrambling for [was] the control of people’s minds.”
The disciples said they were made to work, without pay, for long hours each day – running all aspects of the megachurch. All say sleep deprivation was routine, with lights left on in the dormitories at night, the report stated.
The church, which is still in operation today, is led by his widow, Evelyn.
In his lifetime, TB Joshua attracted dozens of politicians and celebrities to his church.
A full Episode of BBC Documentary on TB Joshua
— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) January 8, 2024
TB Joshua raped, tortured members – BBC investigation ( + Video)
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Peller, Jarvis’ Glamorous Lagos Wedding: N400m Mansion, $20,000 Gift, Over 50,000 Virtual Guests
Peller, Jarvis’ Glamorous Lagos Wedding: N400m Mansion, $20,000 Gift, Over 50,000 Virtual Guests
- Nigeria’s favourite TikTok couple, Habeeb “Peller” Hamzat and Elizabeth “Jarvis” Amadou, have officially tied the knot in a spectacular Lagos ceremony that blended celebrity glamour, jaw-dropping generosity, and digital-age storytelling. The #JP2026 wedding has become one of the most talked-about entertainment events of the year.
Peller and Jarvis have built their relationship in the public eye, sharing their journey through livestreams, collaborative content, and regular appearances that endeared them to millions of followers. Their wedding was the culmination of a series of pre-wedding celebrations that began with a romantic proposal at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Ghana in June 2026. The couple then honoured their cultural roots with a traditional marriage ceremony in Benin City, followed by a civil wedding in Lagos on July 29. Saturday’s grand white wedding brought together family, friends, and fans to witness the union of two of Nigeria’s most influential digital creators. The bride and groom dazzled in their wedding attire, with Peller donning an elaborate Edo-inspired outfit that paid homage to his heritage, while Jarvis complemented him in a breathtaking bridal ensemble that quickly became the talk of social media.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the #JP2026 celebration was the extraordinary generosity shown by well-wishers, with gifts arriving even before the wedding day. Ahead of the ceremony, businessman and socialite Pascal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, donated N10 million in support of the wedding. His contribution set the tone for the lavish celebrations to come. American entrepreneur and renowned TikTok benefactor Gregory Pizarro Jr. made the journey to Lagos specifically for the occasion. During a meeting with Peller at his hotel, he presented the groom with a cash gift of $20,000, demonstrating the global reach of the couple’s influence. Chief Executive Officer of Promiseland Estate, Lawrence Emmanuel, gifted the couple a plot of land in Abuja valued at N150 million, providing them with a valuable asset in the nation’s capital.
However, the biggest surprise of the day came during the wedding reception when real estate entrepreneur King Ochacho, speaking on behalf of his family, announced the gift of a fully furnished luxury mansion in the upscale Life Camp district of Abuja. The property is reportedly valued at an astonishing N400 million. Presenting the gift, King Ochacho explained his motivation: “I and my family left everything we are doing in Abuja just to come through for Peller because he is an inspiration to this generation.” He added that after consultations with his sons, they decided, “We want Peller to be staying close to Palace Seven,” noting that houses in that area are worth no less than N400 million.
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The ceremony attracted a who’s who of Nigeria’s entertainment and social media scene. The extensive guest list read like a roll call of the nation’s most influential personalities. The film industry was well represented by Iyabo Ojo, Eniola Badmus, Moyo Lawal, Jigan Baba Oja, and Foluke Daramola, adding their star power to the celebration. The music industry showed up in full force with Zinoleesky, Seun Kuti, Femi Kuti, Tanzanian singer Juma Jux, and Fuji musician Sule Alao Malaika, who kept guests entertained with electrifying performances. The digital space was represented by Nons Miraj, Papaya Ex, Cute Abiola, Isbae U, Aunty Ramota, Geh Geh, and countless others who have built their careers alongside Peller and Jarvis. Cubana Chief Priest, Daddy Freeze, Pretty Mike, and Soso Soberekon were among the distinguished guests, along with Gregory Pizarro Jr., who made the trip from the United States specifically for the wedding.
Staying true to their reputation as digital content creators, Peller and Jarvis made history by streaming the wedding live across YouTube and Twitch. The livestream attracted over 50,000 virtual guests, who flooded the comment sections with well wishes from every corner of the globe. The decision to broadcast such an intimate moment demonstrated the couple’s commitment to their fans and their understanding of modern celebrity culture. Viewers from North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia tuned in to witness the event in real-time.
The wedding venue was nothing short of spectacular, featuring luxury automobiles on display that showcased the couple’s taste for fine things, coordinated aso-ebi attire that created a visually stunning sea of colours, a competition with a reported N5 million prize for the best-dressed attendee, and live Fuji music performances by Sule Alao Malaika that kept the energy high throughout the celebration.
One of the most talked-about moments of the wedding was the appearance of content creator Emmanuel Obruste, better known as GehGeh, as one of Peller’s groomsmen. GehGeh made a grand entrance in a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, and videos of him dancing with the other groomsmen quickly went viral across social media platforms. His enthusiastic participation surprised many because he had previously been a vocal critic of Peller’s decision to marry. In a past interview, GehGeh argued that financial success was not the sole basis for marriage, stressing that Peller was “still growing as a child” and needed to be ready “mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.” The irony of his role at the ceremony sparked mixed reactions online, with some praising him for supporting his friend despite their differences, while others questioned his previous stance. Regardless, his presence added another layer of intrigue to the high-profile event.
The Peller and Jarvis wedding represents more than just a celebrity union; it signals the mainstream acceptance of digital creators as cultural icons. A generation ago, social media influencers were dismissed as passing fads, but the #JP2026 celebration demonstrates that content creators now command the same respect, influence, and wealth as traditional celebrities. The sheer value of the gifts received—totalling hundreds of millions of naira—reflects the economic power of the creator economy and the willingness of business leaders to align themselves with digital influencers.
The wedding generated massive engagement across digital platforms, with the hashtag #JP2026 trending on multiple social media networks. Fans expressed their joy, congratulations, and even envy at the couple’s good fortune. Many commentators noted that Peller and Jarvis have achieved in a short time what takes others decades, while others praised them for staying grounded despite their success. The couple has promised to continue sharing their journey with fans, hinting at future content that will document their married life.
As Nigeria’s most talked-about celebrity couple begins their new chapter, fans are eager to see what comes next. Will they expand their content empire? Will they venture into other business pursuits? One thing is certain: Peller and Jarvis have proven that with talent, dedication, and the right connections, the digital world can open doors to unimaginable success. The #JP2026 wedding has set a new standard for celebrity weddings in Nigeria, blending traditional values, modern influence, and extraordinary generosity into an event that will be remembered for years to come.
Peller, Jarvis’ Glamorous Lagos Wedding: N400m Mansion, $20,000 Gift, Over 50,000 Virtual Guests
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Troops arrest three suspects over killing of soldier in Imo ambush, recover stolen rifles
Troops arrest three suspects over killing of soldier in Imo ambush, recover stolen rifles
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested three suspects allegedly linked to the killing of a soldier during a deadly ambush in Imo State and recovered several weapons, including military rifles believed to have been stolen during the attack.
The arrests followed months of intelligence-led investigations and coordinated operations conducted by troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade under Operation UDO KA (OPUK) across Rivers, Delta and Imo states.
The operation was launched after an ambush on May 4, 2026, in which one soldier was killed, another sustained injuries and service weapons were reportedly taken away by the attackers.
Security sources said sustained intelligence gathering, targeted raids and the interrogation of previously arrested suspects provided information that helped investigators identify three men believed to be key suspects in the attack.
The suspects were identified as Albert Tony, popularly known as “Chiboy”; Temple Eburua, also known as “Marathon”; and Vitalis Eburua, alias “Onowu.”
Investigators reportedly established that the suspects fled to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after the attack before relocating to Oleh in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State with the assistance of an associate identified as Mr Abire.
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Troops reportedly arrested Abire in Port Harcourt on July 30. During questioning, he allegedly provided intelligence that led security operatives to the suspected hideout of the three men in Delta State.
Acting on the information, troops of the 34 Artillery Brigade moved into Delta State in the early hours of July 31 and worked with personnel of the 181 Battalion to conduct a coordinated raid at Opaebe in Oleh.
The operation led to the arrest of the three suspects, who were taken into military custody for further investigation.
Following their arrest, the suspects allegedly led troops to a hideout in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, where weapons believed to have been stolen during the May ambush were concealed.
Further intelligence-led operations reportedly led security personnel to another suspected camp at Umudike Plantation, where additional weapons, ammunition and other materials were recovered.
Items recovered during the operation included one AK-47 rifle, two AK-47 magazines, one FN rifle and two FN rifle magazines believed to have been taken from the soldiers during the ambush.
Troops also recovered three additional AK-47 rifles, nine AK-47 magazines, one pistol with its magazine, 194 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, 45 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and a fragmentation jacket.
Other materials suspected to be connected to the activities of the criminal network were also seized during the operation.
The three suspects are currently being held by the 34 Artillery Brigade for further interrogation as investigators work to identify other individuals who may be connected to the attack and determine the full scope of the group’s activities.
Military sources described the arrests and recovery of the weapons as a significant breakthrough in ongoing efforts to identify and dismantle criminal networks responsible for attacks on security personnel.
The recovery of the suspected stolen service weapons is expected to support ongoing investigations into the May ambush and help security agencies trace other individuals who may have played a role in the attack.
The operation also reflects the continued use of intelligence gathering and coordinated security operations to disrupt armed groups, recover illegal weapons and improve security across Imo State and neighbouring areas.
Troops arrest three suspects over killing of soldier in Imo ambush, recover stolen rifles
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Kidnapped Lt. Col. Ofor Amobi, civilian rescued after 10-day military operation in Enugu
Kidnapped Lt. Col. Ofor Amobi, civilian rescued after 10-day military operation in Enugu
A joint military task force has rescued a senior Nigerian Army officer, Lt. Col. Ofor Amobi, and a civilian, Mr Ikechukwu Onwuanra, following a 10-day intelligence-led search-and-rescue operation across forests and neighbouring communities in Enugu State.
The rescue operation was conducted by troops under Sector 1 of Operation UDO KA, involving personnel from the 82 Division Garrison, 103 Battalion (Reinforced), the Nigerian Navy Special Boat Service and the 197 Special Forces Battalion.
The joint operation was led by the Commander of the 82 Division Garrison, with support from the Air Component, which provided surveillance and helped sustain pressure on suspected criminal hideouts.
Security sources said the troops carried out extensive search operations across the Inyi, Awlaw and Akpugo-Eze forests, as well as nearby communities in Oji River Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The operation reportedly intensified between the evening of July 31 and the early hours of August 1 after security personnel received actionable intelligence concerning the possible location of the abducted victims.
At about 2:00 a.m., the Divisional Police Officer of the Inyi Division alerted the troops to information pointing to the suspected location of Lt. Col. Amobi and Onwuanra.
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The troops immediately mobilised and launched a fighting patrol into the area, where the two victims were found abandoned at the edge of a forest in Inyi.
Reports indicated that both victims sustained gunshot wounds during their captivity. They were safely evacuated from the area and taken to Inyi before being transferred to the 82 Division Medical Hospital for treatment and comprehensive medical evaluation.
During preliminary debriefing, the victims reportedly told security personnel that they were blindfolded shortly after their abduction and taken to an unknown location.
They were later abandoned in a forest around the Enugu–Anambra border as sustained military operations restricted the movement of their captors and placed them under increasing operational pressure.
Military sources attributed the successful rescue to the persistent intelligence-led offensive mounted by the joint force, supported by aerial surveillance and coordinated ground operations.
The sustained pressure reportedly disrupted the kidnappers’ activities, limited their freedom of movement and forced them to abandon the victims before fleeing the area.
The rescue highlights the continued use of coordinated intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance and joint security operations in efforts to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities across parts of the South-East.
The military is expected to provide further information as follow-up operations and security assessments continue.
Kidnapped Lt. Col. Ofor Amobi, civilian rescued after 10-day military operation in Enugu
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