“Lord take my life, and let these ones be spared.” with that prayer though hands were bound he lifted off the blindfold the kidnappers had put on him. That act alone should have cost his life as they were strictly warned against it.
On Sunday June 14, 2026 as brethren returned from Scripture Union Camp of Faith Okigwe after the national students’ conference along Orlu-Mgbidi Road while travelling from Okigwe to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital the kidnappers struck. They were all taken from the car, and escorted into the bush, bound and blindfolded. News of their kidnap broke and nationwide prayer began. Act 12:5(ESV) So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. There were 3 females among them. One was a 300 level student and national secretary of the SUCF, the other 2 were siblings. The kidnappers asked each of them “Are you a virgin?” They were. They had kept themselves pure, or more correctly: God had kept them. The kidnappers promised to test that virginity, and promised the females they would no longer be virgins at the end. It was no idle threat. Many have borne children from such trauma. The men were to be kept in a separate lodging from them. How would it be that evil men ravished those who God had kept? Was the trauma of kidnapping not enough? Greatly burdened and willing to sacrifice himself the prayer was made, and the rule broken. In rage the machetes were rained down on him, the head, back and shoulders suffered deep cuts and blood flowed freely. As he passed out into unconsciousness he heard the instruction, “Shoot him.” but in that state God spoke to him, “You will leave this place with all of you”, and showing him his family “You shall be united with them” and further spoke, “You will continue with this ministry” Ps 23:4-5 (ESV) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
He was not slain, and awoke after a while. The plan to separate them was then jettisoned, and they were kept together. There were other victims in captivity, yet somehow the kidnappers gave them special treatment and the leader abandoned the idea of raping the girls. One day whilst in captivity one of the kidnappers came to one of the females, forcing her to watch pornography, seeking to defile her. He was caught by the others and punished harshly. Machetes were used to beat him (machetes were the implements used as a cane in the kidnappers’ den, whether it cut or slapped the victim). He was cast out unconscious. After 21 days in captivity they were freed. Their mobile devices and the vehicle they had been travelling in were returned. None of them was violated. Is 43:1-3 (ESV) But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
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