The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has revealed that it has paid hundreds of millions of naira as ransom to kidnappers over the years to secure the release of its abducted members across Nigeria.
Speaking during a press conference in Jos, Plateau State, on Sunday, the ECWA President, Reverend Stephen Baba Panya, expressed deep concern over the worsening state of insecurity, lamenting that churches, pastors, and worshippers have become prime targets for criminal gangs operating across the country.
Reverend Panya noted that while the Church remains committed to peaceful engagement and prayers for the nation, it has been forced into desperate circumstances where it had no choice but to meet ransom demands to save lives.
“ECWA has, regrettably, spent hundreds of millions of naira to rescue our kidnapped pastors, members, and missionaries. It is a sad reflection of the insecurity that persists in our nation,” he said.
The cleric decried the emotional and financial toll the recurring abductions have placed on the Church and its congregations, describing the situation as unsustainable and deeply troubling. He called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts in tackling the growing menace of kidnapping, particularly in rural communities where most of the attacks occur.
Reverend Panya also highlighted specific instances where missionaries were abducted while carrying out evangelical work in remote areas, noting that some victims suffered brutal treatment while in captivity. In a few tragic cases, he said, abducted members were killed despite ransom payments.
While commending the gallant efforts of security personnel in certain cases, the ECWA leadership insisted that more proactive measures must be taken to dismantle criminal networks and restore confidence among Nigerians, especially in faith communities who continue to live under threat.
ECWA, one of the largest and oldest evangelical denominations in Nigeria, operates hundreds of churches, schools, and mission fields across the country, particularly in the North Central and North Eastern regions, which have been hotspots for banditry and insurgency in recent years.
The Church also used the occasion to call for national prayers, urging Nigerians not to lose hope but to remain united in the face of the prevailing challenges. Reverend Panya reiterated ECWA’s readiness to collaborate with the government and other stakeholders in promoting peace, justice, and security nationwide.
