Faith Without Fear: Oyebade Tells Churches to Turn Congregations into First Line of Security

Segun Atanda, Features Desk/

On a day devoted to love and fellowship, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police has reminded worshippers that protection is also an act of love.

Delivering a paper titled “Community Approach to Church Security” at the RCCG Continent 3 Seminar Series on February 14, 2026, DIG Adeleye Olusola Oyebade, mni (rtd), who served as a resource person and the RCCG Continent 3 Security Coordinator, challenged churches to rethink security not as guards at the gate, but as a shared ministry involving pastors, ushers, neighbours and even passers-by.

His central message was simple: a church is only as safe as the community around it.

Oyebade argued that churches traditionally rely on hired guards or a small internal security unit, but modern threats demand broader participation.

According to him, worship centres are uniquely vulnerable because they are open spaces designed to welcome strangers.

“Security is not about fear or exclusion. It is about care, responsibility and peace,” he said.

He explained that churches function as community anchors, gathering places where people seek hope, counselling and social support, and cannot isolate themselves from surrounding realities.

Instead of erecting barriers, he advocated awareness and cooperation: members watching out for one another,
communication with neighbours, and partnerships with emergency services.

The result, according to him, is a safer neighbourhood, and automatically, a safer church.

The retired police chief pointed to violent attacks, kidnappings, theft and crowd-related incidents that have increasingly affected churches across Nigeria, especially in regions troubled by terrorism, banditry and communal conflict.

Large gatherings, such as crusades, weddings and funerals, now attract criminal opportunists. And beyond physical threats, digital risks have also emerged.

Many churches store: membership records, financial details, and online giving data.

Without proper cyber awareness, he warned, trust can be compromised as easily as buildings can be breached.

One of the most striking aspects of Oyebade’s presentation was the redistribution of responsibility. He outlined roles for virtually everyone connected to the church: Pastors provide vision, promote vigilance without fear, and ensure safety policies reflect Christian compassion.

Workers and Ministers observe unusual behaviour during services and guide people calmly during emergencies.

Security Teams coordinate access points, manage crowds, liaise with police and emergency responders.

Members and volunteers stay observant, report concerns, assist during incidents and maintain a welcoming but alert environment.

His philosophy: security works best when it is invisible yet universal.

The retired DIG recommended practical steps that blend hospitality with preparedness: well-lit parking areas and clear exit routes; orderly entry and exit points; emergency drills and first-aid training; de-escalation training for tense situations; close communication with local authorities, and cyber-safety protocols for digital records.

Training, he emphasized, replaces panic with calm action.

Oyebade acknowledged a common fear among church leaders, that visible security may frighten worshippers or contradict the gospel message of openness.

His response: good security should feel like kindness. Ushers can smile and still be attentive. Volunteers can welcome guests and still observe behaviour. Preparedness can exist without suspicion.

“Being alert does not mean being hostile. It means being responsible for one another,” he said.

His conclusion resonated deeply with participants at the seminar: security is not a department; it is a culture.

When a church embraces collective vigilance, it does not become militarised, it becomes caring.

In a nation where insecurity often reshapes public behaviour, Oyebade’s proposal offers a middle path: churches remain open, but not unaware; welcoming, but not vulnerable.

In his words, a safe church is not one surrounded by walls, but one surrounded by responsible people.