09/06/2025
In 1990, Reinhard Bonnke traveled to Kano for a crusade, which sparked outrage among Muslim fundamentalists.
During their brutal protests and attacks, they caused significant harm and even death, targeting Bonnke, who was just minutes away from death when he was rescued by General Sani Abacha’s troops.
Abacha singlehandedly quelled the riots and saved Bonnke. However, the Islamists within the federal government were furious that Bonnke survived, and they placed the blame on him rather than the rioters. Consequently, they revoked his visa and banned him from Nigeria indefinitely.
Despite this setback, Bonnke remained committed to his mission of preaching to Africans, with Nigeria being the largest country in his sights. He sought to regain his visa by offering to cooperate with an investigation, asserting that the attack was unprovoked and that he had never insulted Muslims, but instead spread love through the gospel. Unfortunately, his appeals went unheard, and it seemed unlikely he would ever return to Nigeria.
Everything changed when Abacha became Head of State. Bonnke learned that the then-president of Benin, Mathieu Kérékou, was a friend of Abacha. With Kérékou's help, Bonnke requested that he plead his case. To Bonnke’s astonishment, Abacha responded positively. In fact, Abacha arranged for a presidential jet to bring Bonnke to the Villa without a visa. Abacha expressed his belief in Bonnke’s innocence, stating that he had witnessed the riots firsthand and had been the one to rescue him.
Bonnke pleaded for a visa, but Abacha cautioned him that it wouldn’t be easy. The powerful individuals who opposed Bonnke’s return made it difficult for him to overrule their influence.
However, Abacha assured Bonnke that he would work to secure the visa soon. Tragically, Abacha passed away in 1998, just as he was nearing the final stages of securing Bonnke's visa.
Interestingly, Bonnke had preached to Abacha, who had shown an openness to the Christian faith. Abacha had even arranged a state visit for Pope John Paul II. According to Bonnke, Abacha was becoming more receptive to Christianity, but fundamentalists surrounding him complicated his decisions.
Miraculously, Olusegun Obasanjo, whom Bonnke had met and prayed for just weeks before he announced his presidential bid, won the election. The rest, as they say, is history.
Soldiers of Yeshua Eternity Network
