The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) has described the release of the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State as a divine answer to weeks of prayers and fasting, while commending security agencies for securing their freedom.

The church, in a statement shared on its official X handle on Friday, said the successful rescue fulfilled God’s promise, urging members to give thanks for the safe return of the victims after 57 days in captivity.

“And our God arose like He promised! Let somebody shout Hallelujah!! Glory be to our God for answering our prayers and fulfilling His word.

“We appreciate the efforts of all the security agencies in securing the release of our school children and their teachers from captivity. Congratulations to each of them and their families. Our God answers prayers. Hallelujah!!!” the church wrote.

The post included a video of the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23.

In the video, Adeboye revealed that the church had embarked on sustained prayers and fasting following the abduction of the schoolchildren, particularly after reports that one of their teachers had been killed by the kidnappers.

“We have been fasting, we have been praying for a particular group of school children that were captured and the kidnappers felt that the government was not reacting fast enough to give them the money they asked for.

“They slaughtered their teacher and showed the video to the rest of the world. And then God spoke to me, told me that as for the release of the children, it’s going to be dramatic. But He didn’t tell me the time or the details,” Adeboye said.

The rescued pupils and teachers regained their freedom on Friday after spending nearly two months in captivity.

Announcing the development earlier, the special adviser to the president on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said security operatives successfully rescued all the victims, stressing that no concession was made to the terrorists during the operation.

The victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, after armed men attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.