An inferno has engulfed the headquarters of Christ Embassy Church located in the Oregun area of Ikeja, Lagos State.

An eyewitness had earlier confirmed the development. Also, multiple videos on social media have captured the massive edifice being destroyed by fire.

The fire, which broke out early hours of Sunday, caused significant damage to the church property, sending shock waves throughout the immediate community and beyond.

Officials from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service have arrived at the scene to combat the blaze.

To maintain order, the police have cordoned off the area surrounding the church.

The headquarters of Christ Embassy Church is led by influential pastor, Chris Oyakhilome.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has issued a stern challenge to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), demanding verifiable evidence to substantiate allegations leveled against it regarding the recent recruitment of constables.

In a statement released on Friday by Ikechukwu Ani, the Head of Press and Public Relations at the PSC, the commission expressed deep concern over what it perceives as attempts by the NPF to tarnish its reputation.

Ani stated, “The Commission has at every turn suffered several indignities in its attempt to perform functions provided to it by the Constitution even after the Supreme Court decided the matter in its favour.”

He further accused the NPF of resorting to “brute force and intimidation” and alleged inducements of media personnel to discredit the Commission.

“This is a serious affront to the mandate of the Commission,” Ani added.

The controversy stems from conflicting claims over the recruitment process.

The NPF, through its spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, had earlier rejected the list of recruited candidates provided by the PSC, claiming discrepancies on their portal.

Adejobi asserted, “Several names of persons purported to be names of successful candidates are those who did not even apply and therefore did not take part in the recruitment exercise.”

In response, the PSC emphasised that due process was meticulously followed throughout the recruitment exercise.

Ani highlighted the Supreme Court’s July 11, 2023 judgment which affirmed the Commission’s authority over recruitment, refuting assertions by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun that the police were not excluded from the process.

Egbetokun, in his defense, stated that while the Supreme Court gave recruitment powers to the PSC, it did not explicitly exclude the NPF from involvement.

He clarified, “The judgment and even the Constitution did not give the Police any role in the recruitment of any cadre of Officers into the Police Force.”

The dispute escalated with accusations from both sides regarding the integrity of past recruitment exercises.

Ani criticised previous police-led recruitments, alleging, “It is the fraudulent Recruits they brought into the system during these exercises that are currently haunting the Nigeria Police Force.”

The PSC called upon President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that the Commission’s mandate is respected.

Ani appealed, “It is the considered opinion of the Commission that the successful candidates should be allowed to proceed on training without delay.”

The Nigerian Army has welcomed the arrival of two Bell Uh 1-H fighter aircraft in Abuja.

This acquisition marks a pivotal moment for the military, aimed at strengthening its ability to tackle the prevailing security threats across the nation.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, officially confirmed the delivery of the aircraft in a statement issued on Thursday.

He highlighted that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, is scheduled to oversee the aircraft’s deployment into active operations upon their arrival in Nigeria.

The procurement of these fighter aircraft follows the approval by the Federal Government, as announced by General Lagbaja in September 2023.

At that time, the government sanctioned the acquisition of a total of 12 attack helicopters to bolster the Nigerian Army’s aerial capabilities.

General Lagbaja emphasized the strategic importance of these acquisitions in enhancing the military’s ability to combat the multifaceted security challenges confronting the nation.

The addition of the Bell Uh 1-H fighter aircraft is expected to significantly augment ongoing efforts to secure various regions plagued by insurgency, banditry, and other forms of criminality.