‘After Weeks of Prayer and Fasting, God Answered Our Prayers’ — RCCG Reacts to Rescue of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

• The Redeemed Christian Church of God has described the rescue of the abducted Oyo pupils and teachers as an answer to weeks of prayer and fasting.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has described the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State as a divine answer to weeks of prayer and fasting, expressing gratitude to God and security agencies for securing their freedom.

In a post shared on its official X handle on Friday, the church said the successful rescue fulfilled God’s promise after sustained prayers for the safe return of the victims.

“And our God arose like He promised! Let somebody shout Hallelujah!! Glory be to our God for answering our prayers and fulfilling His word.

“We appreciate the efforts of all the security agencies in securing the release of our school children and their teachers from captivity. Congratulations to each of them and their families. Our God answers prayers. Hallelujah!!!” the church wrote.

The post included a video of RCCG General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, speaking during the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23.

In the video, Adeboye revealed that the church had been praying and fasting following the abduction of the schoolchildren, especially after one of the teachers was killed by the kidnappers while in captivity.

According to him, God assured him that the children would regain their freedom in a dramatic manner.

“We have been fasting, we have been praying for a particular group of school children that were captured… God spoke to me and told me that as for the release of the children, it’s going to be dramatic. But He didn’t tell me the time or the details,” Adeboye said.

The cleric had earlier raised concerns over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, warning that terrorism and kidnapping had spread beyond northern Nigeria into the southern part of the country.

He also defended President Bola Tinubu against criticisms over insecurity, stating that the President had given directives to the military, while urging the Federal Government to set a 90-day deadline for security agencies to eliminate terrorism and bring those financing insurgency to justice.

The pupils and teachers regained their freedom on Friday after spending 57 days in captivity following a coordinated security operation involving the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, 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 of Oyo State.

During the attack, 39 pupils and seven teachers were kidnapped. Two teachers later lost their lives, while the kidnappers reportedly demanded ransom, the release of detained terrorist commanders, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related laws before freeing the captives.

However, the Oyo State Government maintained throughout the crisis that it would not negotiate with or pay ransom to the abductors.