TB Joshua releases new footage of Synagogue building collapse

Just received this article from freelance journalist, Ihechukwu Njoku. He wrote it. Apparently there's new footage showing the building collapse that killed 115 people. Find it below...

Maintaining his controversial stand that the tragic collapse of a building at The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) was an ‘attack’, T.B. Joshua has released new security footage of the incident through Emmanuel TV’s official YouTube channel. The new footage from a security camera stationed in the church premises shows the bottom of the building as people walk innocently around the environment. Suddenly, a huge plume of smoke is seen coming from the side of the building, bystanders running for dear life as the collapse occurs in mere seconds.

A still picture at the end of the shocking footage shows the extent of the disaster with ‘floors piled on top of each other’. Through a Facebook post, the embattled cleric reiterated that, while co-operating with the ongoing investigation into the cause of the fatal collapse, “The church views this tragedy as part of an attack on The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations.” The SCOAN had earlier warned media not to pre-empt the investigation with ‘unconfirmed stories’ that ‘give the impression the collapse was due to structural failure’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6DwUoqzaeI

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No contravention notice was served on our building before it collapsed - Synagogue

The Synagogue Church this evening denied online reports that the collapsed 6-storey building was at one time sealed by the Lagos state government and a contravention notice served on the church. Below is a statement they posted on their Facebook page...

This is an official communication from The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations regarding some stories currently being reported in the media about the recent incident that happened in The SCOAN.

Our attention has been drawn to a publication in the Vanguard Newspaper of 26th September 2014 titled, ‘Synagogue: We Sealed Off Building Before Collapse – LSBCA’.

In the article, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Mrs Abimbola Animashahun Odunayo was quoted as saying that the agency had sealed off the building before it collapsed and that the church ignored the warnings of the agency to stop construction. The story was initially published by online media portal News24.

We deem it necessary to state that the above publication is not true in that:
1. No contravention notice was served on the church before the collapse because there was no reason for the issuance of such notices.
2. The building had never been sealed off for any reason whatsoever before the collapse of 12th September, 2014.
3. At no time was any stop-work notice or directive served on the church or pasted on the building prior to 12th September, 2014.

We however wish to state that the letters that were written to the church by LSBCA were written after the collapse of 12/09/14 in the following order:

1. A letter dated 16/09/2014 Ref No. LASBCA/AL/PCA/DH/01 requesting for the submission of a development permit and approval of structures within the church complex, four days after the building collapsed.
2. A contravention notice dated 17/09/2014 Ref No. AL/LASBCA/DH/PCA/CN 06 alleging certain contraventions, five days after the building collapsed.
3. A letter dated 17/09/14 Ref No. AL/LASBCA/DH/PCA/CN 06 requesting for non-destructive tests for structural stability, five days after the building collapsed.

It must be noted that no sealing or quit notice has been served as the building never called for such.

In the above circumstances, we would like to believe that LSBCA has been quoted out of context with the motive of destroying the ongoing investigation into the case as well as casting doubt on the position of the church that the collapse was due to an attack.

Our attention was also drawn to a publication in Nigeria’s Guardian Newspaper of Friday 26th September 2014 titled, ‘Early Probe Report Indicates Compromise In Synagogue Building.’

The article quoted the Honourable Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State, Mr Toyin Ayinde, as saying that one of the columns or pillars of the collapsed building in the church measured 2 feet by 2 feet and that the reinforcement used for the same was 16mm.

This publication is also misleading and untrue. There is no doubt that it was calculated to give the impression that the collapse was due to structural defects as against the position of the church to the contrary.

We hereby request all the involved parties to take the necessary steps towards correcting such dangerous misinformation so as not to mislead the entire country and the international community.

We also urge the media to take necessary steps towards avoiding the publication of unconfirmed stories in future.

We should not pre-empt and interfere with the ongoing investigation.

The SCOAN

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Pres. Jonathan visits site of collapsed Synagogue church building

President Jonathan earlier today visited the site of the collapsed building at T.B Joshua's Synagogue church. He is currently in Lagos to attend a PDP rally which will hold later today at TBS. The traffic in Lagos today because of this rally eh...

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17 South Africans Missing At Synagogue Church

No fewer than 17 South Africans are still unaccounted for at the scene of the collapsed building at the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, in Ikotun area of Lagos State, western Nigeria, South African government said.

Disclosing this detail to AFP on Thursday, 18 September, 2014, was South Africa’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lulu Mnguni, adding that the Synagogue church had set up a hotline in Johannesburg for concerned relatives.

READ ALSO: Doctors Can’t Find Parents Of Hospitalized Child

This is coming as emergency workers informed that rescue operations at the scene of the collapsed building were concluded on Thursday, 18 September, 2014.

[caption id="attachment_2618" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Rescue workers at the collapsed building at the Synagogue church in Ikotun, Lagos.[/caption]

Authorities at the SCOAN have remained silent on the identities and number of persons who lodged in the collapsed building prior to the tragic incident, but insisted that the attack was targeted at its Senior Pastor, Prophet Temitope Joshua.

According to the National Emergency Management Authority, NEMA, the number of casualties in the five-storey building which collapsed on Friday, 12 September, 2014, is 80, while the survivors are 131.

Authorities at SCOAN have maintained that the building collapsed shortly after a plane hovered round the building several times

Reports emerged on Thursday that some of the survivors of the incident have been discharged from hospitals, while DNA tests were expected to be conducted on some of the decomposed bodies evacuated from debris of the collapsed building in other to ascertain the identities of the corpses.

READ ALSO: Video Of The Moment SCOAN Building Collapsed

It was also gathered that the remains of foreign victims would be flown to their respective countries as soon as all arrangements pertaining to this are completed. Among affected countries is South Africa.

It is believed that at least five South African church tour groups were visiting the church at the time of the collapse.

South Africa’s International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has said 20 South Africans are currently being treated in Nigerian hospitals after the collapse.

The building which collapsed served as a guesthouse on Mr Joshua’s campus.

 

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T.B. Joshua Makes Another Statement On SCOAN Collapse

One of the top Prophets, the founder and the General Overseer of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) Temitope Balogun Joshua has issued one more message on the tragic collapse of Ikotun guest house belonging to the Church.

The statement, officially published in the late hours of September 17, 2014, Wednesday, also debunked the allegations that the church members prevented officials of doing search and rescue operations.

“The pain of one is the pain of all,” the message read, adding that the sufferings of relatives and friends of those who lost their lives or sustained injuries was equally the pain of the SCOAN and the leader of the Synagogue Church.

The statement did not give exact figures, but confirmed that Nigerians, South Africans and representatives of other nations were among victims of the collapse on September 12, 2014, Friday, around 12.44pm.

READ ALSO: SHOCKER: Synagogue Church Has History Of Collapses – SCOAN Website

T.B.Joshua’s message noted once again that the tragedy was preceded by the appearance of a strange aircraft, which at low altitude close to the building. The mysterious plane was spotted four times during less than 1-hour interval.

[caption id="attachment_2539" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Photo taken by South African named Shadrack showing strange airplane[/caption]

“Since the day of this incident, The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations, its members and partners, have worked in collaboration with the Nigerian, South African and other nations’ authorities to ensure that survivors are rescued, attended to with the best medical treatment, cared for in the most humane and hospitable manner and reunited with their families, while those who passed on – martyrs of the Kingdom of God – are retrieved, identified and treated respectfully,” the message read.

The SCOAN confirmed that proper cooperation has been established with the governments of Nigeria and South Africa, Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the Lagos State Ministry of Health – doctors and nurses, the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), the Red Cross, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigeria Police Force. The Church noted that different humanitarian organisations, NGOs, construction and engineering corporations were also a part of the efforts to liquidate the consequences of the tragedy.

READ ALSO: TB Joshua Video: Details Moment Building Collapsed (UPDATED)

“It is very sad that inaccurate reports are coming from some quarters that we are not cooperating with the rescue teams and other agencies in collating information and providing assistance on the incident. Contrary to this, we want to categorically state that the church has provided assistance when and where required and continues to do so – good Christians are good citizens.

“We emphasise our commitment to cooperate with all relevant authorities in establishing the cause of the collapse of the building. The church views this tragedy as part of an attack on The Synagogue, Church Of All Nations and in particular, Prophet T.B. Joshua. In due course, God will reveal the perpetrators of this unfortunate tragedy,” the statement added.

The Synagogue was also thankful to all who showed their solidarity, worked hard and shared their condolences in the hard times. Those who were mentioned inclused the above-mentioned non-Governmental and Governmental bodies, Diplomatic Missions, National and International media houses, society groups, traditional rulers.

A special thanks goes to all the concerned citizens and the residents of Ikotun-Egbe local community. The SCOAN appreciates prayers and support of its members, partners and all good Christians worldwide.

“To all those who lost family members and loved ones, please accept our heart-felt commiserations. No one knows by the present sign or situation what the future holds. We must therefore live each day as if it were our last and leave tomorrow’s trouble for the One who bore our troubles on the cross. We thank God for the martyrs and we pray for the family members and loved ones left behind,” the statement concluded.

The tragic collapse of Synagogue Church guest house has claimed 80 lives. At least 67 victims were from South Africa. Over 130 people escaped death.

One of the latest survivors, a South African woman, was rescued from the debris on Monday. Currently, around 20 nationals of this country receive treatment in Nigerian hospitals.

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SCOAN Has History Of Collapses - Website

[caption id="attachment_2295" align="aligncenter" width="688"] Survivors of SCOAN guest house collapse in Lagos. Photo: SaharaReporters[/caption]

Following the September 12 tragedy at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), more revelations keep appearing.

The building belonging to the church collapsed Frirday afternoon killing scores of people. After the incident numerous allegations were made in terms of what could cause the collapse.

It would be recalled that the building had initially 2 storeys and it was later reconstructed into a 5-storey building. After the tragedy the Lagos State Government claimed they had not provided approval for the change of structure. It was alleged that the collapse could occur as a result of the move.

However the SCOAN founder Pastor T.B. Joshua said it was a terror attack and disclosed thefootage, which shows events before and after collapse. In the video it is clearly seen that some aircraft was hovering over the building four times within short period of time before the guest house fell down.

READ ALSO: SYNAGOGUE COLLAPSE: South African Releases PHOTOS Showing Strange Aircraft

Meanwhile new details of this story have surfaced. Which is no allegation, but the information provided on the SCOAN official website. According to the page, the SCOAN had 3 different locations in the past, and there were serious troubles with the church building. Read the paragraph taken as it is from www.scoan.org:

“The physical structure of The SCOAN has gone through different stages. Each stage served a purpose! Before moving to our present position, The SCOAN has had three previous locations. The roof of the first church was blown off by a storm, the second church was washed away by a flood while the third church also collapsed due to severe weather conditions. Shall we say all these happened without God’s knowledge? No. In every situation, God is still saying something. Today, The SCOAN is an architectural masterpiece located in the heart of Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos.”

[caption id="attachment_2299" align="aligncenter" width="735"] SCOAN, Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos[/caption]

Still, the investigation into the cause of collapse has started and the official results are yet to be provided.

Meanwhile the famous clergyman, speaking after the tragedy which killed according to the recent update 80 people, said they were going through hard times:

“God sometimes uses hard times to draw us to Himself so that we can take our proper position and possession in Him.

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