If You’re Kidnapped, Give Them My Number — Oyedepo Tells Members

By Paul Joseph

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Living Faith Church Worldwide, David Oyedepo, has sparked reaction after making a bold statement about divine protection and kidnapping situations during a recent church message.

Speaking to his congregation, Oyedepo addressed fears surrounding insecurity and abductions, insisting that spiritual authority and divine backing should not be misunderstood as a guarantee against human evil without consequence.

“If kidnappers pick you up, give them my number. I am not God sent if they don’t release you,” he declared, in remarks that have since circulated widely on social media.

The cleric’s statement, delivered in his characteristic emphatic preaching style, was aimed at reinforcing his belief in spiritual authority and faith-based intervention in life-threatening situations.

While supporters interpreted the comment as a declaration of confidence in divine backing, critics say the remark has been taken out of context and amplified online.

As reactions continue to pour in, the statement has further fueled public debate around the role of religious leaders in addressing insecurity and the boundaries of faith-based assurances in real-world crises.