The Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, has stirred widespread reactions across Nigeria following a striking directive to members of his congregation: if they are ever kidnapped, they should give his personal phone number to their abductors.
The statement, delivered during a church service at the sprawling Canaanland in Ota, Ogun State, has since gone viral, sparking intense discussions on faith, security, and the limits of spiritual intervention in a country grappling with persistent kidnapping incidents.
Speaking from the pulpit, Oyedepo projected unwavering confidence in what he described as his spiritual authority, assuring congregants that he possesses the divine capacity to secure their release from captivity. His words, delivered with characteristic conviction, drew both applause within the church and skepticism beyond its walls.
“If anybody picks you, give them my number,” he declared, reinforcing the instruction with an air of urgency and certainty. The remark, captured in a now widely circulated video clip, has become a focal point of national conversation, cutting across religious, social, and security circles.
To support his position, the cleric recounted past incidents which he described as clear demonstrations of divine intervention. In one account, he spoke of a pastor affiliated with the church who was abducted by kidnappers.
According to Oyedepo, the situation took an unusual turn when the abductors allegedly allowed the victim to make contact, during which his number was passed along.
What followed, he suggested, was not merely negotiation but a spiritual confrontation, one that ultimately led to the pastor’s release without harm. Though he did not delve into operational details, Oyedepo framed the outcome as evidence of divine backing rather than human strategy.
In another testimony, he described a separate kidnapping case involving a church member. Again, he attributed the eventual release of the victim to spiritual authority exercised through faith and prayer, emphasizing that such outcomes were not coincidental but rooted in a higher power at work.
For many of his followers, these testimonies reinforced long-held beliefs in divine protection and the power of spiritual leadership. Within the context of Nigerian Christianity, where faith often intersects with everyday struggles, Oyedepo’s message resonated as both reassurance and instruction.
However, outside the church community, the remarks have prompted mixed reactions. Security experts and public commentators have raised concerns about the practical implications of such advice, warning that kidnapping situations are often volatile and unpredictable. They argue that handling such crises typically requires coordinated efforts involving law enforcement, intelligence gathering, and careful negotiation.
Nigeria has, in recent years, witnessed a troubling rise in kidnapping cases, affecting both rural and urban communities. Victims range from schoolchildren to professionals, clergy, and travelers, with perpetrators often motivated by ransom demands. The crisis has placed immense pressure on security agencies and heightened public anxiety nationwide.
Against this backdrop, Oyedepo’s statement has been interpreted in different ways. Supporters view it as an expression of faith and spiritual confidence, while critics caution against what they see as oversimplification of a complex security challenge.
Religious scholars note that such declarations are not entirely new within charismatic Christian circles, where leaders often emphasize divine authority over life-threatening situations. Yet, the public nature and specificity of Oyedepo’s instruction, particularly the act of sharing a personal phone number with kidnappers, have elevated the conversation to a broader national stage.
Despite the debate, the cleric has remained consistent in his messaging, focusing on faith as a central pillar of protection. His followers, many of whom see him as a spiritual father, continue to draw encouragement from his assurances, even as questions linger about how such guidance aligns with established security protocols.
As the viral clip continues to circulate, it has reignited conversations about the intersection of religion and real-world crises in Nigeria. For some, it is a testament to unwavering belief; for others, a reminder of the urgent need for practical solutions to a growing national threat.
In the end, Oyedepo’s remarks have done more than capture attention, they have opened a complex dialogue about faith, leadership, and survival in uncertain times, leaving Nigerians to reflect on where spiritual conviction meets the realities of modern security challenges.
