A Christian evangelist abducted in May in Nigeria has been released, while another remains captive.
Leaders of the Nigeria-based ministry Nupe Missions report that the captors of Ojo John, 33, released him May 26, states Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Abducted along with John was Silvanus Abu, 26.
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They were kidnapped May 21 from their missions station in Nigeria’s Kebbi state as they left a discipleship-making class.
The men are Nigerian natives. John is from Kogi state and Abu from Niger state.
The captors had not been identified as of the May 29 article from Christian Daily-Morning Star.
At the time of the abduction, both evangelists were serving in Kebbi state among the Muslim Zabarmawa people, said a Nupe Missions spokesman.
‘Largely unreached’
The news outlet describes the Zabarmawa (or Zarma) as a “largely unreached (group) in northwest Nigeria.” They number around 169,000; 93% are Muslim.
The Joshua Project, quoted in the Christian Daily-Morning Star article, said the Zabarmawa Muslims include traditional animism, spirit worship and magic in their practices. “The cults are headed by priests who have been possessed by evil spirits,” the project stated.
World Watch
Nigeria has led the world in the number of Christians killed for their faith or kidnapped. It is No. 7 on Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List of the 50 places most difficult to be a Christian.
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