Nigerian Prophet Sparks Outrage After Viral Lion Cub Video, Faces Calls for Arrest Over ‘Spiritual Protection’ Claims

Senior Prophet Jeremiah Omoto Fufeyin, founder of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry in Warri, Delta State, is facing renewed public scrutiny after a viral video showing him with a white lion cub triggered accusations of religious exploitation and fresh calls for his arrest.

The video, which began circulating widely on social media on July 24, 2026, shows the cleric interacting with a juvenile white lion in an outdoor setting. Throughout the clip, the animal is presented as the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah,” a biblical title for Jesus Christ found in the books of Genesis and Revelation.

The footage includes promotional text referencing spiritual protection, displays contact phone numbers for enquiries and features images of a lion-themed T-shirt, leading many viewers to conclude that the symbolism was being used to market religious merchandise.

The video gained even greater attention after lawyer and social media commentator Duke of Africa, known on X as @Allezamani, reposted it with the caption:

“This pastor needs to be arrested for fraud.”

The post quickly attracted thousands of reactions, with many users echoing calls for law enforcement and regulatory agencies to investigate the promotion.

Several commenters described the video as misleading, questioning why worshippers should pay for items associated with spiritual protection. Others criticised what they described as the increasing commercialisation of religious practices in Nigeria.

The controversy is the latest involving Prophet Fufeyin, whose ministry has previously promoted products such as miracle water, miracle soap, anointed sand and other faith-based items, claiming they could bring healing, breakthroughs and divine favour.

In 2024, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) warned Nigerians against some products marketed by the ministry, saying they had not been evaluated or approved for therapeutic claims. The agency subsequently launched investigations into the products, while Fufeyin denied misleading the public and challenged aspects of the regulatory action through legal channels.

Supporters of charismatic ministries argue that symbolic items such as anointing oil, prayer cloths and similar objects are longstanding expressions of faith and should not automatically be viewed as fraudulent. They maintain that such materials are intended to strengthen believers’ faith rather than replace it.

Critics, however, contend that marketing religious objects with implied promises of supernatural protection or miracles risks exploiting vulnerable worshippers and should attract stricter oversight from regulators.

As of Saturday evening, Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry had not publicly responded to the latest backlash surrounding the lion cub video.

Despite widespread calls for action on social media, no law enforcement agency has announced an investigation or filed charges related to the viral video, and there has been no new regulatory action linked specifically to the promotion.

The incident has once again ignited a nationwide conversation about the commercialisation of religion, the accountability of influential church leaders and the regulation of spiritual products in Nigeria, with many Nigerians divided over where faith ends and commerce begins.

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