By HENRY OLADELE

Senior Pastor of High Tower Global Church, Prophet Rufus Ikotun, on Thursday predicted an end to banditry in 2026 while distributing rice to over 5,000 people.

Ikotun spoke with journalists after the church’s crossover service held in Lagos, where he also appealed to governments to prioritise citizens’ welfare.

Assuring Nigerians, he said banditry would cease in 2026 and urged leaders to govern with compassion and empathy.

“I want every leader to have a merciful heart and put smiles on the faces of the people.

“We should be assured that banditry will end this year by the grace of God,” he said.

The cleric thanked God for life in 2026, describing 2025 as difficult but marked by divine intervention and progress.

“2026 is the year of abundance. The Lord told me there will be abundance for His children.

“God said banditry will stop because He will expose the source of their power, and Nigeria will change for the better,” he said.

Explaining the food distribution, Ikotun said his compassion stemmed from childhood experiences of hunger while growing up in Ilesha.

“If God helps me, next year we will feed 10,000 people. Every crossover night, people will go home with rice,” he said.

He expressed optimism that 2026 would be a better year for Nigerians and the country as a whole. (NAN)