Oyedepo Sparks Debate, Tells Members to Give Kidnappers His Phone Number if Abducted

Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, has stirred widespread reactions after asking members of his church to hand over his phone number to abductors if they are kidnapped, saying he has the spiritual authority to secure their release.

The cleric made the statement during a service at Canaanland in Ota, while delivering a sermon tagged #SupersonicSunday, which has since gone viral on social media amid Nigeria’s ongoing security concerns.

Addressing worshippers, Oyedepo urged them not to panic in the face of abduction but to act in faith. “If anybody picks you, give them my number,” he said, suggesting that kidnappers could be engaged directly through him.

He anchored his directive on past experiences, recounting instances where abducted members of his church allegedly regained freedom following what he described as spiritual interventions.

In one example, Oyedepo said a pastor linked to the church was kidnapped and allowed to contact him. According to the cleric, he warned the abductors to release the victim or face dire consequences within 24 hours, after which the captive was reportedly freed.

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He also narrated the case of a female church member who, while in captivity, declared she would regain freedom by a specific time through faith. He claimed the woman was later released following unexpected developments among her captors.

Oyedepo told congregants that such testimonies demonstrate that believers possess spiritual authority over fear, violence, and adversity. He urged members to rely on faith rather than fear, adding that they carry the same spiritual power and should learn to exercise it in difficult situations.

The remarks have since generated mixed reactions across social media platforms. While some supporters described the message as a demonstration of strong faith and leadership, others questioned the practicality and safety implications of advising kidnap victims to engage abductors in such a manner.

The development comes amid persistent kidnapping for ransom in Nigeria, which continues to affect communities across the North-West, North-Central, and parts of the South. Victims have included commuters, students, clerics, and residents in both rural and urban areas.

Security experts generally advise victims and their families to prioritise safety, cooperate with law enforcement agencies, and avoid actions that could escalate risk during abduction incidents.

Oyedepo’s comments have further fueled public debate on the intersection of faith, security, and crisis response, as religious leaders increasingly weigh in on national insecurity and how citizens should respond.

Authorities have continued to emphasise vigilance and collaboration with security agencies as efforts intensify to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes across the country.

Oyedepo Sparks Debate, Tells Members to Give Kidnappers His Phone Number if Abducted

Troops Raid Illegal Arms Factory in Plateau, Arrest Gunrunner in Kaduna

Troops of Operation Enduring Peace, operating across Plateau State, Bauchi State, and Kaduna State, have uncovered an illegal arms manufacturing factory and arrested suspected gunrunners in coordinated operations targeting criminal networks.

The military said the operations were part of intensified efforts to curb illegal arms proliferation, banditry, and communal violence across the North-Central and North-West regions.

The breakthrough in Plateau State followed a raid on an arms factory located in Gwandanu Village, Langtang North Local Government Area. According to the spokesperson of the operation, Captain Polycarp Oteh, troops stormed the location at about 5:00 p.m. on April 22, 2026, acting on credible intelligence.

During the operation, two suspects were arrested while allegedly fabricating sophisticated firearms, highlighting the growing sophistication of locally produced weapons in conflict-prone areas.

Troops recovered a significant cache of weapons and equipment, including two AK-47 rifles and one G3 rifle, as well as fabrication tools such as generating sets, a welding machine, a drilling machine, and other industrial equipment used in illegal arms production.

Security analysts say the discovery underscores concerns that locally fabricated weapons are increasingly being used to fuel violence in Plateau and neighbouring states.

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In a related operation in Kaduna State, troops deployed to Gidan Waya in Jema’a Local Government Area responded to an armed attack on members of the Forest Guards and Vigilante Group of Nigeria.

The troops, working with local security outfits, pursued the attackers towards the Jaginde Forest axis. On sighting advancing forces near Ungwar Maruwa, the suspects reportedly abandoned a motorcycle and fled into the bush.

One suspect was subsequently arrested, while a search of suspected hideouts led to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, an AK-49 rifle, a motorcycle, and other items, indicating possible links to organised criminal activity.

Military authorities confirmed that the arrested suspects are currently in custody and undergoing investigation to determine the extent of their arms distribution network and potential connections to wider criminal syndicates operating in the region.

Following the operations, troops have intensified mop-up and surveillance missions to track fleeing suspects and recover additional weapons believed to be in circulation.

Security experts note that the continued presence of illegal arms factories and gunrunning networks remains a major driver of insecurity, contributing to banditry, farmer-herder clashes, and attacks on rural communities.

The military reiterated its commitment to restoring peace and stability within the Operation Enduring Peace Joint Operations Area, emphasising that it will continue to target sources of violence and disrupt criminal supply chains.

Residents in affected communities have been urged to support ongoing efforts by providing timely and credible intelligence to security agencies to enhance operations and prevent further attacks.

Troops Raid Illegal Arms Factory in Plateau, Arrest Gunrunner in Kaduna

Coup Plot Case: Falana Says Military Court Trial Is Unconstitutional

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has described the planned trial of 36 alleged coup plotters before a military court as unconstitutional, urging the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), to immediately intervene and halt the proceedings.

Falana argued that the case should not be handled by a General Court Martial, insisting that the officers must instead be arraigned before the Federal High Court, which he said has exclusive jurisdiction over offences such as treason, treasonable felony, and terrorism.

In a detailed statement, Falana called on the Attorney-General of the Federation to invoke his constitutional powers under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution to discontinue what he described as an “illegal charge” before the military tribunal. He maintained that after stopping the military proceedings, the accused officers should be formally charged at the Federal High Court in line with constitutional requirements.

Falana further argued that under Section 251 of the Constitution, only the Federal High Court has jurisdiction to try offences relating to treason and similar security-related crimes. He said the current arrangement, where some suspects are allegedly facing trial in civilian court while others are being tried in a military court for the same offence, violates the principle of equality before the law.

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The senior advocate also questioned the legal competence of a General Court Martial to handle offences of treason under Nigeria’s democratic framework. He noted that even during military rule, coup-related offences were not typically handled by courts-martial but by special tribunals, reinforcing his argument that such cases fall outside military disciplinary jurisdiction.

Falana stressed that since the return to democratic governance in 1999, all treason and anti-democratic offences must be prosecuted exclusively in civilian courts, particularly the Federal High Court. He warned that any attempt to bypass this constitutional arrangement could amount to a breach of the rule of law and undermine public confidence in the justice system.

Reports indicate that about 36 military officers are being investigated over an alleged coup plot, with authorities reportedly considering both military disciplinary action and civilian prosecution. While official details remain limited, the matter has been described as a serious national security investigation currently under review by relevant authorities.

The Nigerian military has yet to respond publicly to Falana’s latest remarks, but has previously stated that internal disciplinary procedures are ongoing in accordance with military regulations. Legal observers say the controversy highlights ongoing debates over the boundary between military justice and civilian judicial authority in handling sensitive security cases in Nigeria.

Coup Plot Case: Falana Says Military Court Trial Is Unconstitutional