Controversy Trails Bishop Oyedepo’s Claim of Spiritual Authority Over Kidnappers

Founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, has sparked widespread debate after telling his congregation that abductees should direct kidnappers to contact him if they are ever kidnapped, claiming he possesses spiritual authority to secure their release.

The remarks were made during a recent service at Canaanland and have since gone viral on social media, drawing mixed reactions amid Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, particularly rising cases of abduction for ransom.

In the sermon, tagged #SupersonicSunday, Oyedepo urged worshippers not to panic in the event of kidnapping, but instead to pass his phone number to their abductors. He suggested that he could intervene spiritually to ensure their release.

“If anybody picks you, give them my number,” he told congregants.

The cleric referenced past incidents involving church members whom he said were kidnapped but later released after spiritual intervention or communication with abductors.

In one account, he claimed a kidnapped pastor was freed after he issued a warning to the captors. In another, he recounted a female member who reportedly predicted her own release time while in captivity.

Oyedepo said such experiences demonstrate what he described as the spiritual authority of believers over fear and violence, urging members to remain confident in their faith.

However, the comments have generated significant public discussion, with some supporters describing them as a message of faith and encouragement, while critics argue that they risk oversimplifying a complex security crisis that continues to affect many parts of the country.

Kidnapping remains a major concern in Nigeria, with religious leaders, security experts, and civil society groups frequently calling for stronger state response and improved protection for citizens.