Pastor David Olorunfemi Oluwasanu is the District Superintendent of Christ Apostolic Church, Victory District, Esan Zone. In this interview with Christ Apostolic Magazine, Pastor Oluwasanu talks about his ordeal in the hands of kidnappers.
We want you to explain to us your experience in the hands of kidnappers
I was coming from Okitipupa, Ondo State in a public transport from a wedding programme. Just about few minutes before getting to my residence, we were blocked by armed herdsmen. I don’t even know their number because as our vehicle was about turning back we were blocked from behind. We were taken away with the driver of the vehicle to a bush. For about four days we were in the bush. It was a bitter experience that I can never forget. They were demanding for 10 million naira. I told them I’m a Pastor and there is no how I can get the money and they started hitting me with stick and cutlass. As the Lord would have it, I was able to contact my wife and few members of the church.
Cuts-in: How did you know the kidnappers were herdsmen?
I know that they were herdsmen because they were speaking Hausa to me and one of them also referred to himself as Boko Haram member.
Did they kidnap you because they knew you are a Pastor?
I was not in my clerical dress.
Give us the exact date of the incident
It happened on the 13th of July, 2019 around 7pm.
How did you regain your freedom?
I believed it was God’s intervention. After they said they would collect 10 million, my people began to appeal to them for them to beat the price down. Later they said their Oga wanted to see them at Asaba and because of that they resolved to take any amount that is available. My people brought 300 thousand naira and other things which all together was about five hundred thousand naira.
Can you give us a picture of where you were taken to?
It was a terrible forest. We trekked from 7pm to 12 midnight. The following day we embarked on another journey for about 11 hours. It got to a time that I was unable to walk because my legs were already swelling. To breathe was a problem. I was lifeless. To God be the glory, the Elders in the church came to my aid.
How did you pay the ransom they demanded for?
When people gathered money to bail me out one of the Elders in my assembly looked for a Vigilante who was bold enough to come. They paid him N20,000 for the assignment. They have warned them not to come with any uniform man because they would waste their lives. I thank God I was released and I got back home safely. The Authority of CAC Worldwide wrote to congratulate me, my assembly and region.
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