Bishop David Oyedepo tells church members to give his contact number to kidnappers during security service

Living Faith Church founder David Oyedepo tells members to give kidnappers his phone number, claiming spiritual authority will ensure their safe release in 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 8:35 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Politics Nigeria

Spiritual Directives Amid National Security Crisis

David Oyedepo, the presiding bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, has issued a public directive to his followers regarding the ongoing threat of abduction in Nigeria. Speaking during the "Covenant Day of Vengeance Service," the cleric addressed the widespread fear surrounding the country's security challenges, which have increasingly targeted travelers, students, and religious groups. He instructed his members that in the event of a kidnapping, they should provide his personal contact number to their captors as a means of spiritual and psychological deterrence.

Claims of Supernatural Intervention and Authority

The bishop asserted that his mandate includes a specific authority over those who commit acts of violence against his followers. During his address, he declared that if an abductor is not "cut down" after receiving his information, it would be a sign that his spiritual mission is not divine. This bold statement was intended to embolden a congregation living under the constant shadow of insecurity, framing the act of giving out his number as a test of spiritual consequence for the criminals involved.

Pastoral Intervention in Captivity Cases

To illustrate the efficacy of this approach, Oyedepo recounted a specific incident involving one of his pastors who had been taken by kidnappers. According to the bishop, he spoke directly to the captors via telephone and issued a 24 hour ultimatum for the victim's release. He claimed that the atmosphere among the abductors became tense and fearful immediately following his warning. The cleric reported that the pastor was subsequently released within the timeframe he had specified, citing this as evidence of spiritual power in action.