On Monday 28th April 2025, I stumbled upon an Instagram Live by Mrs Ngozi Harry-Ngonadi popularly known as NHN_Couture where she raised the alarm about the activities of a prayer group known as Naiboth Academy Ministries headed by a “Prophet” Joy Solomon who had isolated her mentee and friend one Ejiro Daniels from her family, friends and business.
I have since followed the evolving story as other members of the society have come to the public about their missing relatives who were part of the ministry, some sighting them for the first time in years from the video shown on the live stream. I have watched in shock and sadness the video revelations by “past members” and family members of those missing, and it is obvious that there are still more gruesome facts yet to be uncovered.
We all believe we are too wise to fall for deception—especially deception cloaked in the name of God. We see stories of people manipulated by pastors or spiritual leaders and wonder: How did they not see it? How can they follow someone who looks or speaks like that ? We shake our heads at victims of religious cults and ask, How can a thinking adult be brainwashed into abandoning their family, career, and sanity?
But life has taught me not to be quick to judge and the comments of the public based on the image that Ms Ejiro Daniels projected whilst free, and the physical appearances of the Prophet and her members show why people fall into the hands of these charlatans. The truth is that many times, the people who get drawn into cults are not foolish or stupid. They are simply human—longing for meaning, struggling with pain, or searching for hope in a world that often feels confusing and cruel. From the stories of Jim Jones and the Jonestown massacre to the ongoing #whereisejiro campaign, religious cults will continue to thrive for several reasons.
Let’s start with the people. Cults often attract those who are vulnerable and it’s important to state that vulnerability wears many faces and can be hidden under beautiful clothes and a pleasing and seemingly contented mien. It could be in the woman who wants or has lost a child and is desperate to hear from God, or the jobless graduate who’s tired of rejection letters and needs someone—anyone—to say “God will do it.” It could be a teenager battling shame or a wife tired of being abused who hears a “prophet” say, “Come, and your life will be restored.” It could be in someone who has undiagnosed mental or physical health issues.
The truth is, cults don’t prey on foolishness; they prey on pain. The pain of not belonging, not fitting or being enough, of non- acceptance from family and society and most importantly, the pain of self hate. They find the gaps and weak spots in our lives and offer quick, supernatural solutions and they wrap it in the language we know best: God, Holy Spirit, Deliverance, Favour and the End Times. In addition to the pain of an unfulfilled life, is the declining economy which has whittled away much of our social safety nets as people are grappling to live their own lives and do not have enough to spare for others. Finally, consider our culture where asking questions in church is considered rebellion and a lack of respect for the anointing and it is no surprise that cult leaders—charismatic, persuasive, and often unaccountable—can easily build followings of lost sheep.
Why Do Cults Thrive?
Firstly, they thrive because of our collective desperation. In a society where people are barely surviving, faith becomes the one thing we cling to. When the economy fails, when leaders disappoint, when systems crumble—people turn to God. And unfortunately, in their desperation, they sometimes end up in the hands of men who say they speak for God but are actually building empires for themselves.
Secondly , cults thrive because we, as a people, have elevated men above God. We give spiritual leaders a level of authority that borders on idolatry. Some Christians no longer read their Bibles; they wait for the “Papa” or “Mummy in the Lord” to interpret it for them. The prophetic word has replaced personal conviction and people are running from one mountain to another seeking miracles, whilst ignoring the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit already dwelling in them.
Thirdly, cults also thrive because they are protected by silence and shame. Victims are often too embarrassed to admit they were deceived. Families are scared of being labelled as lacking faith or over protective. Communities turn a blind eye to happenings in their midst. Churches are afraid to call out false brethren because it may make them look divided. So the cycle continues, families are torn apart and in shreds, lives are ended and people are more and more disillusioned about their faith.
If you have a loved one caught in the grip of a religious cult, your first instincts may be confusion, anger, shame and guilt. But remember that, while understandable, these reactions rarely bring about a positive solution. People in cults are not just under manipulation—they are often genuinely convinced they are on the right path, are old enough to make their choices to be misled and some even believe You, (the one trying to rescue them), are the agent of darkness as inferred by the “missing” Ejiro in her recently released video.
So, approach them with love, not judgment. Seek to understand what drew them in.Whether it is grief, confusion, spiritual hunger, or the need for community? Create a safe space where they can express themselves without ridicule. Sometimes, just having someone listen is the first step out of the fog.
Also, educate yourself. Cults often use similar psychological techniques: isolation, fear, repetitive indoctrination, and distorted theology. Knowing how they operate can help you respond wisely. Get professional help if needed—both spiritual and psychological. This isn’t just about casting out demons; it’s about healing minds and the psyche and restoring trust.
Above all, keep praying. I know it sounds like a cliché, but prayer works—not as a substitute for action, but as a foundation. When someone you love is trapped in deception, it is a spiritual battle as much as a practical one.
To us all, especially Christians, genuine christians and churches must rise, not just to condemn cult leaders, but to reflect on the parts of church culture that may be enabling them. We must teach the full counsel of God, not just prosperity and deliverance. We must encourage questions, not label them rebellion. We must train people to study the Word, not just swallow what they hear on pulpits and lead them to depend on God and not man. We must also model accountability. Who checks the pastor? Who calls out manipulation when it happens inside the house of God? We must stop enabling leaders to hide under the cloak of “touch not my anointed” to avoid correction. The Bible says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” If that’s the case, the antidote is not more oil on heads—it is truth in hearts.
We also need community in our churches. Real community—not just Sunday gatherings. Many people join cults because they are lonely. Let the church be a family in truth, not just in name. When people are loved, heard, and included, they are less likely to go looking for validation in dangerous places. The truth we are not ready to hear or bear is that many religious organizations operate as cults, they may not isolate people physically as Joy Solomon has done but they manipulate them so much so, that they cannot function without the instruction, direction, guidance, consent and approval of their “Men of God”
There’s an old saying in Nigeria: “Na small small madness dey start.” The enemy doesn’t need to come wearing black with red horns—he comes with a microphone, a worship team and scriptures taken out of context, curated stories gotten from investigations done on us, warnings and prophecies of danger and calamity and those behind it. We have been warned to be aware of his devices so let’s help people find God without losing their minds. Let’s build churches where truth reigns, where love is real, and where no one ever has to be imprisoned to feel saved. Let’s be concerned enough to notice when our loved ones behave out of character, to care enough to speak up and investigate. Let us watch out for our neighbors and report strange behaviors and happenings. Let us speak up when something feels off—even if it is happening in a church. Let us hold space for those who’ve been hurt, and let us never use God’s name to silence pain.
May the truth set us all free indeed as we worship in the name of God.