• The Founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, asked members to give kidnappers his phone number if abducted in a viral video clip circulating online
• Oyedepo made the statement during a church service at Canaanland, Ogun State
• TheRadar has compiled some reactions on social media ranging from support to strong criticism as the video sparked widespread debate

The Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, has triggered widespread debate online after urging his congregation to give kidnappers his phone number if they are abducted.

Oyedepo made the statement during a church service at the Canaanland headquarters in Ota, Ogun State.

A video clip of the sermon later surfaced on social media and quickly went viral.

“If anybody picks you, give them my number, give them my number,” he said, expressing confidence in what he described as his spiritual authority to secure their release.

To support his claim, the cleric recounted two incidents involving church members. In one case, he said a pastor was abducted and eventually handed a phone to speak with him.

“One time one of our pastors was carried by, what do you call them, kidnappers. I said, give them the phone. I said, in 24 hours, if you don’t take him out, you are dead. The place was vibrating. On the spot.”

In another account, he described a female member who declared she would regain freedom by 7 a.m. without any direct contact from him.

“She said, my father said, I’m getting out of here latest by 7 a.m. They didn’t call. They started cutting themselves,” he said.

He further told members they possessed similar spiritual authority.

“You have been raised far above the devil. If the church does not conquer these devils, God has left heaven,” he added.

Following the viral clip, reactions flooded X (formerly Twitter), with users expressing mixed opinions.

While some defended the statement as an expression of faith, others criticised it, questioning its practicality and linking it to broader concerns about insecurity in Nigeria.

Netizens react to Oyedepo’s statement

@ANVlive: “Chapel in Kaduna was kidnapped and murdered by gunmen along the Abuja/Kaduna expressway, while his wife was abducted.

So your pastors don't have your number, abi you dey select servant to save. or your power never reach these times.”

@georgeuzoike: “That's how they mess up the minds of the people and exonerate the government from it's failure to provide security.”

@FavourIfunn5: “Wow 😮 Abeg make una share his contact. What’s with the delay? Abi na until they k+dn@pp me 🤔”

@Sarkin_Nigeria: “If you like enter kidna**pa den na that time you go know say Daddy GO number no dey go again.”

@JuicypunkjayJay: “Omo this early morning wey I wake, dem Dey murder people inside churches, you say make we give dem your number, think they give a fuck, Oya drop the number na”

@richardsunday79: “Another lamber don’t worry … Dey are comng… is just dat some state won’t allow dis ting 2 reach lagos state e.g Ibadan , ijebu and Abeokuta. Dey gallant ppl.. if not so those ppl don’t respect ur fake God. Unless you are the sponsor. Baba travel by road let see the edit.”

@RidwonOsha: “Practice what you preach 1st,allow yourself to be kidnapped. We will share the testimony with you later.”

@omoniyi53353: “Instead of them to protest for lasting solution to Christians genocide, they are here bluffing.

Do we all have your number? Who your number epp?”

@xexiboy2: “They that know their God shall do exploits. When you know the power and authority you carry, you can speak boldly like this. Because that power and authority is divinely given.”

@blacklawyerr: “This is very funny. With this energy you would pray to God to eradicate these people asap.

You have this power but you move around with squad of security. Okay oo. We’re not ready🤝”

@SecularAlience: “Toh, for the sake of every nigerian, share your number online so they can have it handy. Else, this is just cork and bull stories.”

@onile_wealth: “As a powerful man of God as u claimed,please kindly dissolve this kidnapping issues in country, don't wait until they kidnap us to call ur number,its not making sense.”

@OgunjobiTo33: “Daddy of God, travel to one of your church via road in another far state without security. Let's see how the miracle works when you're kidnap. Lead by example first.”

Nigerians descend heavily on Pastor Adeboye and son over alleged N8b fraud case

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that many Nigerians expressed anger at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, especially at the general overseer who recently said the country's problems are spiritual and not political.

The son of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Adeolu Adeboye, and his wife were reportedly involved in an alleged fraud case. They had allegedly received N8 billion for a road construction project but only completed 30 per cent of the project.