The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has revealed that he sought divine direction following the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, saying God assured him that the victims’ release would be dramatic.
The respected cleric made the disclosure while speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, where he reflected on the security challenges confronting Nigeria and the emotional impact of the school abduction on him.
Adeboye recounts emotional prayers
According to Adeboye, he was deeply troubled after learning about the kidnapping of the schoolchildren and their teachers, particularly following reports that one of the victims, a teacher, was killed in captivity.
He said the incident prompted him to seek God’s face in prayer after some people questioned the effectiveness of prayers in the face of the country’s worsening insecurity.
The cleric explained that the criticism and the tragic circumstances surrounding the abduction pushed him into a period of intense intercession.
“I was compelled to cry unto God because we have been fasting and praying for a particular group of school children who were captured. The kidnappers felt that the government was not reacting fast enough to give them the money they asked for, and they slaughtered their teacher and showed the video to the rest of the world.
“Some people then began to speak, challenging those of us who said we had been praying. They said, ‘You are fasting, you are praying, where is your God?’ So I went to the Lord in prayer, in deep agony. I said, ‘Father, you have heard them. They said, ‘Where is our God?’”
God promised dramatic intervention
Adeboye said that during his prayers, God assured him that the abducted pupils and teachers would be released in a dramatic manner.
“And then God spoke to me. He told me that the release of the children is going to be dramatic.”
The cleric explained that although God did not reveal when or how the release would happen, he was instructed to trust Him completely.
“He (God) did not tell me the time or the details. He then told me to leave that aspect in his hands and said he would talk to me about what would happen after this particular incident.
“Some of the things he said, he mentioned what would happen to those who have been sponsoring terrorism and kidnapping in Nigeria. He also spoke about several other things. I had no idea what was going to happen here.”
Comments on insecurity
Adeboye lamented the worsening security situation in Nigeria, saying persistent terrorism, banditry and kidnapping have continued to threaten lives across the country.
He stressed that beyond confronting armed criminals, authorities must also go after those financing and sponsoring violent groups, insisting that dismantling their support networks is key to restoring lasting peace.
The cleric noted that the continued attacks on schools and communities have left many Nigerians traumatised and searching for answers.
Defends Tinubu’s role
Adeboye also defended President Bola Tinubu against claims that he had not done enough to address insecurity, maintaining that the President had fulfilled his constitutional responsibility by issuing directives to security agencies.
He recalled that after publicly urging Tinubu to give security chiefs a 90-day ultimatum to eliminate terrorists or resign, he was later invited to meet with the President and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“Well, after I made that announcement publicly, I was invited, and I met with the President and his wife. For your information, the President’s wife is one of my pastors. We talked, and I repeated what I said in the open.
“Sir, don’t waste time. Get in contact with President Trump. Go to the Ambassador. Call your military officers. Give them a standing order. 90 days. Wipe out this rubbish or resign. And then take care of the supporters and the sponsors.
“They came. How do I know they came? It was in the news. He contacted the US. They called a meeting of the senior officers. What he told them, I don’t know, and I don’t need to know. Because he is the Commander-in-Chief, and when the Commander-in-Chief gives instructions to his subordinates, who are you to be there?”
He further argued that the commander-in-chief should not be blamed for failing to personally prosecute the war against terrorism.
“When the Commander-in-Chief has given instructions to his subordinates, he has done his bit. You don’t expect him to go and put on khaki.
“When my friend Trump gives instructions to go and bomb anywhere, he doesn’t leave the White House. He has done his bit. He gives the command: ‘Bomb Iran.’ Then he goes to his bedroom and sleeps. The rest is left to those who are his subordinates.”
Adeboye’s remarks have renewed discussions about the role of faith, leadership and security in addressing Nigeria’s persistent kidnapping and terrorism challenges, particularly following attacks on schools and other vulnerable communities across the country.