The President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Wale Oke, has criticised the National Assembly over the proposed legislation seeking to prohibit preaching in commercial buses, declaring that Christians would continue to evangelise despite the measure.

Oke, who spoke during a church sermon on Sunday, vowed that members of the PFN would resist any attempt to enforce the law, insisting that preaching the gospel remained a divine mandate.

“Make all the stadiums in Nigeria become prisons; if you want to enforce that law, we are coming. We will break that law. Our Master told us to go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature. You sit somewhere there, and you are saying we shouldn’t preach in buses. We will preach in buses! We will preach everywhere! Because you are making evil decrees. We will rather obey God than man,” he said.

The cleric accused lawmakers of focusing on religious preaching instead of tackling insecurity and violent crimes across the country.

“You don’t go after killers; you are not going after those beheading; you are not going after rapists; you are not going after kidnappers. You are not going after bandits who are unlawfully carrying arms. You are going after us who are preaching the message of peace that changes people’s lives. We wouldn’t listen to you. You are not God!

“Those promoting that law, God will cut them off. We will rain curses upon you and your family unless you repent. This law, we will break it,” he added.

The PFN president’s comments come amid growing reactions from Christian leaders over the proposed legislation, which prescribes penalties for individuals who preach or engage in unsolicited religious activities inside commercial buses.

Recall that the Senate recently clarified that the prohibition of preaching and hawking inside commercial vehicles is not a new provision introduced by the ongoing amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission Establishment Act, insisting that the offences have existed in Nigerian law since 2007.

The clarification followed widespread public criticism after PUNCH Online reported on July 17 that the Senate passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes a N50,000 fine for anyone convicted of hawking, trading or preaching inside commercial vehicles.

In a statement issued on Monday by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs in the Office of the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate said the controversial provision had long been contained in the existing FRSC Act and National Road Traffic Regulations.

“The Senate has duly noticed public concerns on the purported proscription of preaching and hawking in a commercial vehicle under the ongoing amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (Establishment) Act, No. 22, 2007,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, several prominent clerics have also faulted the purported proscription.

The founder of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche, recently argued that evangelism remains a core Christian obligation and warned against any policy that seeks to restrict peaceful gospel preaching in public places.

Similarly, the Presiding Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has repeatedly maintained that evangelism is central to the Christian faith, urging believers not to relent in soul-winning despite perceived opposition.

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has also consistently encouraged Christians to continue sharing their faith peacefully and in accordance with biblical injunctions.

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The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission has confirmed the release of the Nigerian girls who were recently detained abroad, saying they are on their way back to Nairobi.

The development follows public concern over a viral video showing the girls in detention, which prompted calls for the Nigerian government to intervene.

On Instagram, #Queenbethia had posted the video on Sunday: “Pls tag every relevant authority because this is nonsense !!!! This cannot keep happening!! Mauritius is notorious for this !!!”

They have been held at the Mauritius airport since July 31, 2026, she lamented.

NiDCOM, in a statement issued on Monday by its Digital Media Unit, disclosed that the girls had regained their freedom and that efforts were underway to ensure the circumstances surrounding their detention were fully addressed.

“The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) wishes to inform the public that the Nigerian girls who were previously detained have been released.

“They are currently on their way back to Nairobi,” the commission stated.

NiDCOM added that its Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, was engaging the relevant Nigerian mission to pursue the matter with the authorities in the country where the incident occurred.

“The Chairman/CEO of NiDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, is actively engaging the relevant Nigerian Embassy who have formally taken up this matter with the authorities of the country concerned, to ensure full accountability and prevent any recurrence,” the statement read.

The commission reiterated its commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians living or travelling abroad, saying the intervention aligns with the Federal Government’s renewed focus on citizens’ welfare.

“NiDCOM, in line with Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, remains committed to the welfare and protection of all Nigerians home and abroad,” it added.

NiDCOM did not disclose the identities of the girls, the country where they were detained, or the circumstances that led to their arrest.

The commission also did not indicate when they are expected to arrive in Nairobi or Nigeria.

Similarly, neither the Mauritius government nor the airport have spoken officially about the reasons behind their delay at the airport.

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