ABUJA, Nigeria — Two pastors from the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN) have been freed after being abducted in northeastern Nigeria, according to church leaders.
The Rev. James Kwayang and Rev. Ishaku Chiwar were kidnapped by armed militants from a church in Mbila-Malibu town, Song County, Adamawa State on December 29, 2024, as confirmed by EYN President Rev. Daniel Mbaya in a statement issued by spokesperson Mbursa Jinatu.
“As we celebrate the safe return of these devoted servants of God, we are reminded of the immense power of collective prayer and the support we’ve received from our church members and fellow Christians,” Mbaya stated, thanking those who prayed for the pastors’ swift release following their January 5 return.
EYN leadership had previously called for urgent prayers, with Mbaya requesting, “We ask everyone, including the EYN family, to pray for the safe and swift return of these men of God. This has deeply shaken our community, and we need your prayers and support during this challenging time.”
The specifics surrounding the pastors’ release, including any terms or negotiations, have not been made public.
Adamawa State Police Superintendent Suleiman Nguroje confirmed the pastors’ release in a statement on January 6.
The Church of the Brethren in Nigeria is the largest national body of its denomination globally, and prior to attacks by extremist groups like Boko Haram, it boasted nearly one million attendees.
Kidnappings have become a tragic norm in Nigeria, with at least five Christians abducted in Nasarawa State in December alone. In 2023, Nigeria recorded the highest number of kidnappings of Christians in any country, with 3,300 incidents, according to Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List (WWL). Additionally, Nigeria remained the deadliest nation for Christians, with 4,118 killed for their faith between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023.
The country also ranked third globally for attacks on Christian properties, such as churches, hospitals, and schools, with 750 incidents reported in the same period.
In the 2024 WWL, Nigeria ranked sixth among the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, maintaining the same position as the previous year.
Many kidnappings in Nigeria are attributed to attacks by Muslim Fulani herdsmen. While the majority of the Fulani people are not radical, some adhere to extremist ideologies and share the same targeting strategies as groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP. These herdsmen, particularly in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, have been accused of seeking to forcibly take land from Christian communities and impose Islam, exacerbated by environmental challenges like desertification that threaten their herding livelihoods.
