Fire has destroyed the tomb shelter of the late founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet Temitope Joshua, in the Agodo area of Ikotun, Lagos State.
The fire started around 6.30pm on Wednesday.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said no one could tell if anybody died in the incident.
He said, “The affected property is on Ajisebiri Street, Agodo. The house started burning around 6.30pm and as I speak with you, fire service officials are trying to put out the fire.
“The compound of the house is big, so nobody can see what they are doing inside. Also, officials putting out the fire didn’t allow anybody inside.”
The Acting Coordinator, National Emergency Management Agency, Ibrahim Farinloye, who also confirmed the incident, said the fire had been put out.
He said, “The incident happened at a building belonging to the late pastor. The late pastor usually went there to relax and meditate. Federal fire service officials moved in to put out the fire.”
The Head, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, Margaret Adeseye, said the fire affected the shelter covering the late pastor’s tomb.
She said, “It is confirmed that a section around the tomb of the late pastor TB Joshua caught fire. A shelter was built to cover the tomb because it is an open place, so, it was the shelter that caught fire. But we were able to curtail it and it did not spread beyond where it started from. We have yet to identify the cause of the fire.”
This incident comes just a day after re-opening of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) by wife of late Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua, Evelyn, was ‘announced’.
Evelyn is supposed to begin open services after the first anniversary of the late cleric.
Since the death of the founder of SCOAN on June 5, last year, Evelyn has been grieving the death of her husband, while the church premises have remained a ghost town as the gate of the church has been closed and guarded by security men.
However, an insider of the church who spoke in confidence to The Guardian said, the church is set to begin open services to thousands of national and international visitors to witness first-hand proof of miracles from Jesus Christ.
The source said: “ Pastor Evelyn is waiting for our late Papa’s one year anniversary in June to begin service. She is all set and that is what we are waiting for now.”
The source added that the church is still very strong and Evelyn has already continued the legacy of her late husband in performing healings and miracles.
“Now, the church is still very strong and will start entertaining members from different parts of the world again after T.B Joshua’s one year anniversary coming up in June this year. International partners are willing to come also.
Recently, Pastor Evelyn visited Ghana for a programme and miracles and deliverances took place. It was not even a crusade; it was a visit to a programme. So you can see.”
Every year, SCOAN hosts thousands of national and international visitors. People travel from around the world to witness and receive the mighty work that God is doing in the life of the late Prophet T.B. Joshua. According to a report, 80per cent of foreigners who visit Nigeria are visitors of SCOAN.
