Christian perspectives on news and current events.
The following is a transcription of On the Lord’s Side Podcast presented on GospelBellsRadio on April 30, 2026 by Olufemi Oguntokun. It may not fully match with the audio, but represents a near perfect transcription of the broadcast.
On the Horror of Extrajudicial Killing and the Cry for Justice
Good morning to you once again. It is Thursday, the 30th of April, 2026. The program is On the Lord’s Side — Christian perspectives on news and current events. My name is Olufemi Oguntokun. You can follow me on X at @OlufemiOG. You can also follow Gospel Bells Radio on X.
I want to begin this morning by returning to the story we engaged with yesterday — the dastardly, evil, and totally reprehensible murder by the police of that young man who was accused of complicity in the possession of banned weapons.
You know that story so well because it has gone viral on social media in Nigeria. That young man, with his hands tied behind his back, was reportedly detained by civilians at a motor park when it was discovered that the parcel he intended to collect contained weapons. From what we know, he was detained by civilians who suspected he was part of a criminal gang.
Now, detaining him and calling the police was the right thing to do — not tying his hands behind his back — but inviting the police was correct. We have consistently condemned mob action on this program. You cannot take the law into your own hands. You cannot claim to redress injustice by committing injustice yourself.
To the extent that those civilians did not beat or kill him, and instead handed him over to the police, they must be commended.
But who would have thought that the police, having been invited to arrest a suspect, would then, in broad daylight and in full view of the public, shoot that young man dead?
The outrage is understandable. This is evil. It is horrible. It is abhorrent. It is all shades of wrong.
We must also remember that this was not just “a suspect.” This was a human being. A son. A brother. Someone’s child. The more we humanize victims like this, the more our collective conscience is stirred to act — or at least to pray.
Reports say that the victim’s brother was also previously killed by the police. That is devastating beyond words. I pray the Lord will console that grieving mother in Jesus’ name.
On the Danger of Explaining Away Evil Instead of Investigating It
One of the most dangerous things about evil is refusing to call it what it is — or worse, explaining it away.
This brings me to another troubling development: comments made by the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, who suggested that “spirituality” was the only explanation for what happened.
That is deeply concerning.
There must be an investigation. You cannot say there is no explanation when no investigation has been conducted. What we can say, from the evidence, is that there is no justification. The facts speak for themselves.
A restrained suspect, hands tied, seated on the ground, posed no threat — and yet he was shot. There is no justification for that.
But explanation must come through investigation.
To attribute such a crime to “spiritual forces” is not only unprofessional — it is dangerous. It shifts focus away from accountability. It discourages proper inquiry.
Was the officer complicit in arms smuggling? Was he under the influence of substances? These are legitimate investigative questions.
We must not allow spiritual language to become a shield against responsibility.
On Insecurity and the Failure to Call Evil by Its Name
This leads us to another story — remarks by the President of Nigeria suggesting that insecurity is being used by political enemies to undermine him.
Even if that were true, it is not enough.
If insecurity is being orchestrated, then it is a matter of grave national concern — possibly even treason. It must be investigated and addressed with the full weight of state authority.
But to simply attribute it to political enemies without decisive action is unacceptable.
Language matters. Explanation matters.
If you do not call evil what it is, you will not confront it as you should.
The Bible says: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil.”
On Euphemizing Evil and the Reality of Abortion
This brings me to a broader cultural issue — the tendency to euphemize evil.
A video circulating recently showed a U.S. lawmaker questioning an abortion advocate about the methods of abortion. When those methods were described — suction, dismemberment, chemical injection — the advocate refused to engage.
Why?
Because when you strip away the euphemisms, you are confronted with the reality.
Abortion is often framed as “reproductive healthcare.” But reproductive health is for reproduction. Abortion is the termination of life.
We must be honest.
There are rare cases where preserving the life of the mother may necessitate such intervention. But that is not what is being normalized. What is being promoted is convenience-driven termination of life.
We must not join a culture that refuses to call evil what it is.
Let us pray: “Father, break our hearts for what breaks Yours.”
On Positive Confessions and the Primacy of Prayer
Finally, I turn to a teaching that has sparked debate — advice given by a pastor that a woman with a cheating husband should not confront him but instead speak positively over him.
While there is value in speaking positively, we must not elevate confession above prayer.
There is no power in mere words apart from God.
The Bible teaches that “the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much” (James 5:16). That righteousness is in Christ.
A distressed spouse should not merely speak positive words but should take the matter to God in prayer:
“Lord, change his heart. Lord, save him. Lord, deliver him.”
Positive confession without Christ-centered prayer risks shifting focus away from God and placing it on self.
And that is dangerous.
Because the one who prays returns with thanksgiving to God. But the one who merely “confesses” may begin to glorify self.
We must always point back to Christ.
On Remaining Firmly on the Lord’s Side
Thank you so very much for joining us this morning on GospelBellsRadio.
I hope to be with you again tomorrow by the grace of God. Whatever you do today, please remain firmly on the Lord’s side.
God bless you.
Engaging the culture with the mind of Christ.
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