The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has expressed gratitude to God over the successful rescue of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing their freedom as an answer to weeks of prayers and fasting.
In a message posted on its official X account on Friday, the church said the safe return of the victims was a fulfilment of God’s promise and thanked security agencies for their role in the operation.
RCCG said the rescue brought joy to the families of the victims and to Nigerians who had continued to pray for their release.
“And our God arose like He promised. Glory be to our God for answering our prayers and fulfilling His word. We also appreciate the efforts of all the security agencies in securing the release of our school children and their teachers from captivity. Congratulations to them and their families. Our God answers prayers,” the church stated.
The post was accompanied by a video of the church’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23.
In the video, Adeboye recalled that the church had embarked on prayers and fasting after the abduction of the pupils and teachers.
He said the killing of one of the teachers while the victims were in captivity deeply saddened the church and intensified prayers for their safe return.
According to him, God assured him that the children would regain their freedom in a dramatic manner, although He did not reveal when or how the rescue would take place.
Adeboye had also raised concerns over the country’s security situation during the event, noting that kidnapping and terrorism had spread beyond northern Nigeria. He defended President Bola Tinubu against criticism over insecurity, saying the President had issued the necessary directives to the military, while urging him to give military commanders a 90-day ultimatum to eliminate terrorism and those financing it.
The pupils and teachers regained their freedom on Friday after spending 57 days in captivity. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the development, saying security agencies successfully carried out the operation without making any concession to the kidnappers.
The victims were abducted on May 15 when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area. Thirty-nine pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were kidnapped during the attacks.
During the incident, teacher Joel Adesiyan was killed while attempting to escape, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded by the abductors.
The kidnappers reportedly demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related laws before freeing the victims.
However, the Oyo State Government consistently maintained that it would not pay ransom to secure their release.
