JUST IN: OPM Founder Apostle Chibuzor Shares Video From Armed Camp Visit, Draws Mixed Reactions

The founder and General Overseer of Omega Power Ministry (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, has sparked widespread reactions on social media after sharing a video showing him standing among a group of masked men carrying firearms in a wooded location.

The nearly three-minute video, posted on his official X account on November 3, 2026, shows the popular Nigerian cleric holding a sheet of paper and reading from it while several armed men stand around him.

Apostle Chinyere accompanied the footage with the caption, “Just received this now 3 November 2026,” without providing further details about the exact location of the encounter, the identities of the men or the purpose of the meeting.

The video quickly attracted attention, generating thousands of views, likes and comments as social media users expressed different opinions about the unusual scene.

In the footage, the cleric appears dressed in a dark blazer, patterned shirt, red tie and light-coloured trousers. He stands in the middle of a forest-like environment, reading from a document while the masked individuals surround him.

Some of the men are dressed in casual clothing, while others appear to have head coverings and face masks. Several are visibly carrying rifles resembling AK-style firearms. The presence of the heavily armed individuals has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the meeting and the level of security involved in the cleric’s activities.

Apostle Chibuzor’s History of Engaging Armed Groups

The latest footage has drawn attention partly because of Apostle Chinyere’s previously reported involvement in outreach programmes targeting individuals associated with cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.

For more than 15 years, the OPM founder has publicly spoken about his efforts to reach out to people operating within criminal groups, particularly in Rivers State and neighbouring communities.

His approach has reportedly involved entering locations where such individuals gather, preaching to them and encouraging them to abandon criminal activities in favour of peaceful living.

According to his previous accounts, some individuals who respond to his message are encouraged to surrender their weapons, which he says are subsequently handed over to security agencies.

The cleric has also promoted rehabilitation as an alternative pathway for people willing to abandon criminal activities.

Through Omega Power Ministry, he has supported rehabilitation initiatives designed to help former offenders rebuild their lives and acquire practical skills that can provide opportunities for legitimate employment.

These initiatives reportedly include vocational training in furniture making, welding, electrical work and other practical occupations.

The programmes are intended to provide participants with opportunities to become financially independent rather than return to criminal activities after leaving their former groups.

Apostle Chinyere has previously explained that the rehabilitation efforts are supported through church resources, including tithes and offerings.

He has also spoken about undertaking some of these outreach activities without his regular security personnel, sometimes accompanied by individuals who previously belonged to criminal groups but later became involved in ministry work.

Armed Men in Latest Video Raise Security Concerns

Despite the cleric’s history of engaging individuals involved in criminal activities, the latest footage has generated fresh concerns about his personal safety.

Several social media users questioned why the individuals surrounding him were still carrying firearms during what appeared to be a formal engagement.

Some commenters argued that anyone seeking repentance or government amnesty should first demonstrate a willingness to surrender their weapons.

Others expressed concern that the situation could become dangerous if disagreements developed between the cleric and the armed individuals.

The presence of men holding rifles while Apostle Chinyere reads from a document has also generated speculation about the nature of the meeting.

Some viewers questioned whether the encounter represented a rehabilitation discussion, an appeal for surrender or another form of engagement with the armed group.

However, the video itself does not provide enough information to establish the identities of the individuals or confirm the specific purpose of the gathering.

Social Media Reactions Remain Divided

Reactions to the video have been mixed, with supporters praising the cleric’s willingness to engage people considered dangerous while others questioned the risks associated with his approach.

Some users commended his long-standing efforts to encourage people involved in criminal activities to abandon violence and embrace rehabilitation.

They argued that reaching out to individuals who may otherwise remain outside conventional rehabilitation programmes could contribute to efforts to reduce insecurity.

Other commenters, however, expressed reservations about the approach, insisting that the surrender of firearms should be a priority before any rehabilitation arrangement is considered.

One commenter reportedly described the footage as “rage bait”, while another observed that someone watching the video without additional context could mistake the situation for a hostage incident.

Other reactions focused on the apparent contradiction between the cleric’s peaceful message and the presence of heavily armed individuals surrounding him.

The concerns have further highlighted the challenges associated with negotiating with armed groups, particularly when there is no publicly established confirmation that their weapons have been surrendered.

Questions Remain About the Encounter

The latest development has once again drawn attention to the difficult relationship between rehabilitation efforts, community security and the activities of armed groups in Nigeria.

While initiatives encouraging individuals to abandon criminal activities can potentially support peacebuilding, security concerns remain important, particularly when firearms are involved.

For any meaningful rehabilitation process involving armed individuals, proper verification, coordination with relevant authorities and effective disarmament arrangements are important considerations.

As of the time of filing this report, Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere and Omega Power Ministry had not provided a detailed public explanation of the specific encounter shown in the November 3 video beyond the original social media post.

It also remains unclear whether the individuals featured in the footage have formally agreed to surrender their weapons or participate in any rehabilitation programme.

The video continues to generate discussions online, with Nigerians expressing different opinions about the cleric’s approach to reaching armed groups and the potential security implications.

For now, the circumstances surrounding the meeting remain unclear, as social media users await further clarification from the OPM founder.