Sunday Bobai Agang, a theologian and former Provost of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), has shared his harrowing experience in a kidnappers’ den following his release.
Agang was kidnapped in the early hours of March 24. He told Christianity Today how he was roused from his sleep and led into the bush by four armed men, trekking for approximately 10 hours.
The bandits initially demanded a ransom of N50 million ($37,000 USD), but ultimately released him on March 27 after his family paid N5 million (about $3,700 USD).
Agang stated, however, that his interactions with the kidnappers have changed his theology, making him more compassionate toward victims and providing him with a deeper understanding of the kidnappers’ world. He admitted he was prepared to be killed when the ransom was set at N50 million, believing the sum was impossible to raise.
”When I heard the ransom of N50 million, I lost hope. I believed it was better for me to just die instead of paying them. My family would need to borrow a huge amount of money, and even if they could, where would they get that kind of cash? But my kidnappers refused to kill me. They said it was because my time had not come to die; they just wanted me to work to get the ransom money for them,” Agang recounted.
The ECWA priest noted that the kidnappers, whom he identified as Fulani herdsmen, claimed they entered the “business” as a result of suffering they had endured at the hands of the army.
He said the experience confirmed that “the conflict is serious in this country and we will continue to suffer. We will continue to go through this until we face the reality of sin.”
Based on his conversations with his captors, Agang observed that “they have not lost their humanity. They still believe that they are human beings and we are all human beings.” He urged the church to address the systemic challenges facing the country, adding, “We must demand that politicians, who have been given the opportunity to be in power, focus on rebuilding this country.”
He also called for internal reform within the faith: “The church also needs to put its house in order. It’s unfortunate that with all the mess in Nigeria, the church is still engaging in harmful lifestyles, such as immorality and preaching the prosperity gospel. We need to face the reality of sin in the church and in society.”
Reflecting on his adjustment to normal life, he said, “God has turned that harrowing experience for His own glory. There were celebrations when people heard I was released. Even up to today, people are calling and only thanking God. My satisfaction is that people are giving glory and honor to God. I now have a certificate from the University of Kidnappers.”