Widow raises alarm over son’s safety
A widow, Mrs. Akanbi Christiana, has raised an alarm over the constant threats to her son’s life due to his conversion from Islam to Christianity. According to Mrs. Akanbi, her son, Temitope Akanbi, has been living in fear and anxiety since late last year, following his decision to embrace Christianity.
Speaking to newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Mrs. Akanbi explained that her son’s conversion, which took place in 1997 while he was in university, has led to ongoing threats from her late husband’s family. She said, “The family of my husband has not relented in their plans to harm my son because of the decision he made over two decades ago.”
Mrs. Akanbi revealed that her son, who was disowned by his father, a respected Islamic cleric in Ogun State, has continued to receive threatening letters and phone calls warning him to reverse his decision or face harm. “Between 2023 and this year alone, individuals suspected to be hired assassins visited my son’s rented apartment in the Aregbe area of Abeokuta, vandalizing some of his property in the process,” she said, visibly distressed.
A trader at the renowned Itoku Market in Abeokuta, Mrs. Akanbi noted that all her efforts to seek justice for her son have been in vain. She expressed disbelief that those allegedly targeting her son would go as far as attempting to take his life, especially given that the Nigerian constitution guarantees freedom of worship.
The widow further shared that her son, now a pastor in a prominent Pentecostal church, fled to an undisclosed location as the threats to his life grew stronger. She explained, “The troubles began in 2019 when news of my son’s conversion spread. Since then, he has not known peace.”
Mrs. Akanbi confirmed that her son continues to receive threatening messages and phone calls. “In September 2023, they sent messages threatening him, and just last month, we received more threats, warning him of dire consequences should he not return to the religion of his late father,” she said. “As I speak, my son is still receiving heart-wrenching threat calls and messages from these people who accuse him of defying their warnings.”
She added, “My son and his family are living in fear, unable to sleep, wherever they are now.”
Mrs. Akanbi is pleading with security agencies and human rights organisations to intervene and protect her son before the situation escalates further. She revealed that her son has already reported the matter to the police in an effort to secure justice and safety.
