Two pastors from the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN) have been released after enduring captivity following their abduction in northeastern Nigeria late last year.
Rev. James Kwayang and Rev. Ishaku Chiwar were taken by terrorists on December 29, 2024, from a church in Mbila-Malibu town, Adamawa State. Their release, confirmed by Adamawa State Police on January 6, 2025, brought relief to their community, although the circumstances surrounding their freedom remain undisclosed.
Rev. Daniel Mbaya, President of EYN, expressed profound gratitude for the pastors’ safe return, commending the unwavering prayers and support of the church community during the ordeal.
The Church of the Brethren in Nigeria, with nearly one million members before facing attacks from Boko Haram and other terrorist groups, has been a target of ongoing violence. The kidnappings reflect a broader trend of insecurity facing Christians in the country.
Recent reports highlight the alarming scale of these incidents. Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List revealed over 3,300 Christians were kidnapped last year, and Nigeria remains the deadliest country for Christians, with 4,118 lives lost to religiously motivated violence between October 2022 and September 2023.
The Middle Belt region, in particular, has suffered from increasing attacks by both Islamic extremists and radicalized Fulani herdsmen, who exploit land disputes to further religious and territorial dominance. Despite these challenges, EYN and other Christian communities continue to persevere, standing firm in their faith amid persecution.
