RismadarVoice Reporters, April 24, 2026
The founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, has sparked widespread reactions after urging members of his congregation to give kidnappers his phone number if they are abducted.
Oyedepo remarked on a church service, where he recounted incidents involving members of his ministry who were allegedly released from captivity following his intervention.
Addressing worshippers, the cleric said victims should not panic in the event of abduction but instead provide his contact to their captors. He added that failure to secure their release after such contact would call into question his divine mandate.
The bishop supported his claim with testimonies, including that of a pastor who was reportedly kidnapped. According to him, he instructed that his number be given to the abductors alongside a warning that the victim must be released within 24 hours, after which the pastor regained freedom.
He also narrated another case involving a female member who allegedly secured her release after declaring, based on his prior assurance, that she would be freed at a specific time.
Oyedepo used the accounts to encourage believers to remain fearless despite Nigeria’s growing insecurity, stressing that faith offers protection against adversity.
His comments come amid persistent concerns over kidnapping for ransom across the country, a trend that has continued to pose significant security challenges.
The statement has since generated mixed reactions on social media, with some praising his confidence in spiritual authority, while others question the practicality of such advice in real-life abduction scenarios.
