04/10/2021 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) – The eight members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, (RCCG), who were abducted last month have been freed, reports the Nigerian Daily Post.
The General overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, announced the news yesterday via twitter:
“Today I got the exciting news that our brethren who were in captivity of kidnappers have all been released and taken to the hospital for check-up and tests. Glory be to Jesus. We pray for lasting peace in all troubled regions of the country in Jesus name.”
The eight Christians were abducted on Friday, March 26th, while on their way to evangelize in Kafachan, southern Kaduna state. Gunmen intercepted the RCCG bus along the Kachia – Kafachan road, and took eight passengers, all missionaries, into the bush before placing a N50million ransom (roughly $122,000) for their release.
Whether or not the ransom was paid prior to their release remains unknown. The Kaduna state government recently gave a statement forbidding citizens to negotiate with bandits on the government’s behalf.
“The position of the Kaduna State Government remains the same: the Government will not negotiate with or pay ransoms to bandits,” said The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement this past Sunday.
“Any person who claims to do so in any capacity, if found, will be prosecuted accordingly.”
The Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram established the pattern of kidnapping for ransom in 2014, when the group abducted 276 mostly Christian girls from a school in Chibok. Over 100 of those girls are still missing today. 2021 has already seen several large-scale kidnappings which were originally thought to have been carried out by loosely organized bandits. Recently, Kaduna state governor El Rufai informed the public that these ransoms were used to fund Boko Haram.
Please pray for the safe return of all who have been kidnapped. Pray for their captors, that their hearts would be softened, and that they will experience the love of Christ that leads to true repentance and salvation. Pray for the Lord to comfort grieving parents and families and for the Nigerian government to be wise in dealing with terrorists.
