He is a selfless man.
A Nigerian priest, Fr. Stephen Ojapah, endured over a month of captivity after being abducted by armed insurgents in May 2022. Sharing his story during a Religious Freedom Roundtable, Ojapah recounted the night of his abduction from a parish in Katsina State, Nigeria. When the attackers, believed to be a jihadist splinter group from Boko Haram, failed to identify him, Ojapah courageously stepped forward to protect others, offering himself in exchange for their release. Despite his efforts, the insurgents took him and his companions, forcing them to march barefoot for two days.
Ojapah described the physical and emotional torment during his 33 days in captivity. Deprived of food and water, he relied on his companions to carry him as his feet bled from the unrelenting march. Once at their destination, the captives were beaten, chained, and left exposed to harsh weather conditions. The ordeal was both humiliating and dehumanizing, leaving the captives covered in filth.
The Catholic Diocese of Sokoto ultimately secured Ojapah’s release by paying a ransom of over $30,000. Before his release, one of the captors sought his forgiveness, to which Ojapah responded affirmatively, rooted in his faith and commitment to healing. This act of forgiveness became a pivotal step in his recovery and inspired him to support others.
Following his release, Ojapah launched the Trauma Victims Initiative to provide counseling and support for Nigerians who have endured similar ordeals. His memoir, Tears and Torture: 33 Days in Kidnappers Den, published in September, offers a detailed account of his experience and sheds light on the trauma faced by kidnapping victims across Nigeria. He emphasized the need for regional cooperation and humanitarian aid to combat terrorism and provide relief to affected communities.
Ojapah called for equal rights among Christians and Muslims in Nigeria and urged for collective action to address radical ideologies. Despite the challenges, he expressed hope for Nigeria’s recovery and underscored the importance of faith and humanity in overcoming adversity. Nigeria remains one of the most perilous regions for Christians, who face violence from extremist groups and systemic persecution.