God Said Release Of Kidnapped Oyo Pupils, Teachers Will Be Dramatic— Pastor Adeboye
The general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has disclosed that God assured him that the release of the pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State would happen in a 'dramatic’ manner.
The cleric made the revelation while speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23, in a video that has since circulated widely on social media.
The victims were kidnapped on May 15 when armed men attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State — Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Primary School, Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School. About 32 pupils and teachers were reportedly taken by the gunmen.
The incident took a tragic turn after the abductors allegedly killed one of the captives, a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, and released a video of the execution, sparking outrage and renewed concerns over insecurity in the country.
Recounting his reaction to the development, Adeboye said he turned to God in intense prayers after critics questioned the efficacy of prayers and fasting amid the prolonged captivity of the victims.
"I was compelled to cry unto God because we have been fasting and praying for a particular group of school children who were captured," he said.
According to the octogenarian cleric, some people mocked believers, asking, "Where is your God?" following the killing of the teacher.
He said he subsequently sought divine intervention and received an assurance from God regarding the fate of the abducted victims.
“I went to the Lord in deep agony and said, 'Father, you have heard them. They said, 'Where is our God?' Then God told me that the release of the children is going to be dramatic,'’ he stated.
Adeboye, however, noted that he was not given specific details or a timeline for the anticipated release, adding that God instructed him to leave the matter in His hands.
The revered preacher further revealed that God also spoke to him about issues beyond the abduction, including the future of those allegedly sponsoring terrorism and kidnapping in Nigeria, as well as other developments concerning the country.
“He did not tell me the time or how it would happen, but He said He would speak to me about what would follow after this incident," Adeboye said.
The RCCG leader added that the worsening security situation and developments affecting Christianity in Nigeria have weighed heavily on him.
He also recalled his earlier appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in November 2024 to direct security agencies to decisively tackle terrorism and kidnapping, noting that the President subsequently issued the necessary directives to security chiefs.