8 Nigerian Christians Abducted By Gunmen Are Released

Eight Nigerian Christians of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) who were abducted by gunmen one month ago have just been released, The Christian Post reports.

“Today, I got the exciting news that our brethren who were in [the] 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,” RCCG General Overseer Pastor Enoch Adeboye said on Twitter.

Gunmen reportedly abducted the Christians as they traveled to a “Let’s Go a Fishing” Easter outreach program.

It is unknown who abducted the pastors or whether they are affiliated with any terror organizations. It is also unknown whether a ransom was paid for their release.

However, the Nigerian government has a no-ransom policy, which they have told their citizens.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs’ Samuel Aruwan said in a statement,

“The position of the Kaduna State Government remains the same: The Government will not negotiate with or pay ransoms to bandits.”

According to the U.S. State Department, Nigeria has trouble with corruption, terrorist attacks, kidnapping and poverty.

“Notwithstanding important steps forward on consolidating democracy, the country continues to face the formidable challenges of terrorist attacks, inter-communal conflicts, crime and kidnapping, and public mistrust of the government.

Nigeria has yet to develop effective systems to address corruption, poverty, and ineffective social service delivery,” the State Department wrote about Nigeria on their website.

Additionally, the Family Research Council, in a February 2021 report, states,

“Since the dawn of the 21st century, and with horrifying acceleration in recent years, verified reports of murders, rapes, mutilations, and kidnapping of Christians in Nigeria have persistently increased. These attacks are frequently accompanied by the torching of homes, churches, villages, and agricultural fields.”