A church minister in Zamfara State, Nigeria, has regained his freedom two weeks after being captured by armed militants.
Mikah Suleiman was kidnapped when gunmen stormed his home in the city of Gusau at around 3am on 22 June. His captors subsequently released a video in which he urgently pleaded for assistance.
Mikah’s release was announced in a statement issued on Sunday 7 July. Church spokesman Pascal Salifu said, “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to God for His protection and to everyone who offered prayers and support during this challenging time.”
Mikah Suleiman pleaded for help in a video released by his captors during his two-week captivity [Image Credit: Daily Post]
Adding that Mikah was receiving the necessary care and support after his ordeal, Salifu encouraged people to “continue to keep him in your prayers as he begins his recovery”.
In a subsequent video Mikah himself declared that he was in good health, saying, “I want to thank you for your prayers and your support towards my rescue. By the grace of God, I am out of the hands of the bandits. Thank you very much.”
This was one of at least three incidents of abductions of church leaders in Nigeria to have taken place in June. Meanwhile Pastor Paul Musa and his wife Ruth remain in captivity following their abduction by Islamist terrorists Boko Haram in Borno State.
Give thanks for Mikah’s release and pray that he will make a full recovery from his ordeal. Continue to pray for Paul Musa and Ruth to be released, and any other church leaders still held captive by militants in Nigeria.
