LAGOS, NIGERIA — Renowned Nigerian pastor Paul Adefarasin, founder of House on the Rock church, has firmly denied allegations that he pointed a firearm at a content creator in Lagos, calling the claims “false” and part of a wider strategy of online misinformation.
During his Sunday sermon on June 8, 2025, Pastor Adefarasin publicly addressed the viral incident for the first time, after stating on social media that he would speak about it during church service.
“I was falsely accused of bearing a firearm, pointing a firearm at an aggressive content creator who came within personal distance,” Adefarasin told the congregation. “The only thing separating me and him was about maybe three quarters of a metre and a glass. I do not have a pistol licence for a firearm. I do not carry a firearm, and I pointed no firearm at anybody.”
A video circulating online had sparked widespread speculation about an object seen in Pastor Adefarasin’s hand while interacting with the content creator, with some users claiming it was a gun. Others suggested it may have been a taser or even a mini massager. Pastor Adefarasin, however, did not specify the object during his sermon, choosing instead to refute the firearm accusation directly.
He also shared his personal reaction to the incident:
“Unfortunately, several persons called me and sent me many videos. I was shocked. I’ll be candid with you. I was shocked. I was hurt. I am human. But God is touched with the feeling of our infirmities and is able to first give us succour.”
Throughout the message, the pastor urged his congregation not to retaliate but to trust in God’s justice.
“Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord,” he said, quoting Romans 12:19.
Adefarasin characterised the incident as an example of “clickbaiters just looking for more money,” rather than a genuine attack on his person.
“I probably wasn’t even their target. Their target was to make more money.”
The viral content creator who filmed the video has since issued a public apology to Pastor Adefarasin via Instagram and private message.
In the direct message, the young man wrote:
“Good afternoon, sir. I hope you are good, sir, and the family. Sir, I’m very sorry for what happened yesterday about the video. I honestly did not know that you are a pastor. I’m just a young boy with no father or mother trying to build my content and myself… I never imagined it would go viral this way… Please, sir, I sincerely apologise. Kindly find it in your heart to forgive me.”
Before sending the apology, the blogger had posted on Instagram:
“I will not be posting cars or going out on sports for now and also going offline for now. I’m just a little boy trying my best to survive in Lagos. I have nobody but God.”
While Pastor Adefarasin has not publicly responded to the blogger’s apology as of press time, he made it clear during his sermon that he intended to move past the incident:
“On that note, I will lay that matter to rest. Case closed.”
The situation has sparked wider conversations on social media about the ethics of filming individuals without consent and the responsibilities of content creators.
As one congregant observed online: “If the man said he wasn’t holding a firearm and the person who filmed him has apologised, perhaps it is time to let the matter go.”
For now, Pastor Adefarasin and House on the Rock church seem prepared to leave the controversy behind, grounded in a message of forgiveness and focus on their ministry.
Discover more from Living Our Bible
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Leave a comment