Security agents took two identified men into custody following a scheduled protest outside the Commonwealth Assembly of Zion (COZA), Abuja.
Since one of its members came out on Friday to accuse Biodun Fatoyinbo, its lead preacher, of rape, the church has come under public interest.
Busola Dakolo, the wife a popular Nigerian musincian, Timi Dakolo, said she was raped by Mr Fatoyinbo at the age of 16 in Ilorin, Kwara State.
Mr Fatoyinbo rejected the accusations and threatened legal action.
A large section of Nigerians on social media dismissed the explanation of the preacher and stood in solidarity with Mrs. Dakolo, now a mother of three.
The allegation of rape resulted to an appeal for protest at Abuja’s COZA headquarters.
According to witnesses, two of the male demonstrators were driven away soon before 8 a.m. in a black Mercedes Benz C200 saloon belonging to an unknown security agency.
At the time of this report, we have not been able to identify the agency responsible for the arrest.
Two witnesses outside the church said they were upset that even though the protest had yet to start, security authorities had begun to clamp down on people.
The protest was scheduled at 8:30 a.m. convened by organizers in social media.
Over the weekend, as we have noticed, the church has seen an enhancement in security measures.
More security staff were also stationed at the church headquarters in Abuja’s Guzape neighborhood as demonstrators started to arrive.
Around the church were seen at least 30 police officers. Approximately 20 Civil Defense men were also seen scattered between the intersection of the church on Murtala Muhammed Way and the surroundings of the church, approximately 1.2 km away.
Also outside the church were hooded men from the State Security Service (SSS), a presence some of the protesters said was intended to intimidate them.
Around a dozen troops also arrived around 8:40 a.m. at the church.
Security agents joined church security officials at the entrance to the church to perform a thorough search of guests and congregation members who wished to go inside the auditorium before service starts at 9:00 a.m.
Both males and females were told to leave all of their possessions outside. Only mobile phones and the Holy Bible were permitted inside.
Members of the congregation described as unnecessarily problematic the stringent measure.
“I have been attending this church since 2013 when we were still using the Thisday Dome in Jabi,” a female member said. “This is too much today.”
However, she said the measure may be essential to avoid the detractors of Mr Fatoyinbo from getting their way.
“People have been trying to blackmail our pastor for a long time,” she said
But two demonstrators in front of the protest interviewed by our journalists said they were here to request accountability from Mr. Fatoyinbo, who has faced at least two distinct accusations of misconduct since 2013.
