Nigerians combined prayer to God with human action at the highest level to facilitate the release of Toyin, wife of Deputy Managing Director of The Sun Newspapers, Steve Nwosu, on Thursday, September 17.
Steve confirmed that she was dropped off at about 2.30am on Thursday, the same hour she was abducted from the family home in Okota, Lagos on Monday, September 14.
Early well wishers and colleagues who visited the home included former Sun Newspapers Managing Director, Mike Awoyinfa; Vanguard Editor, Mideno Bayagbon; and Sun General Editor, Kunle Solaja.
Awoyinfa prayed that the incident should mark the end of misfortunes that have befallen the Nwosus’ in the last few years.
Social media was also deployed before and after Toyin’s release.
Members of Prayerville, the prayer department of Shaddaiville Ministries International, led by Kunle Hamilton, went into action upon hearing news of the abduction.
Adefoyeke Adedeji, who leads the prayer team in the United States, said: “As soon as he heard of Toyin’s kidnap [Hamilton] posted the news on Prayerville WhatsApp group and called for all of us to pray.
“He prophesied that she would be released within seven days of fervent prayers. There are about 40 of us that held her up to the Lord; some of us in America, others in England, Canada, Germany, Ghana, and Nigeria.
“Our joy today is that God returned Toyin safely back to her husband and children in three days out of the seven days He gave us.
“We will spend the rest of the week just praising and thanking God even as we continue to pray for people whose needs are brought to us from different parts of the world.”
Adedeji’s story was corroborated by Itunu Olatunde-Folaji who heads the prayer team in Nigeria.
Bloggers also commented on Toyin’s release.
Oluyomi Odukoya said: “Thank God for her. The incessant cases of crime have become alarming.”
Pretty Precious wrote: “Thank God for her safe return. How much ransom was paid for her release? When will kidnapping stop in this country called Naija?
Miss Truth said: “Thank God for her life. I hope those pigs didn’t mess her up too much.”
Toyin, mother of four, was whisked away in a speed boat through the Amuwo Odofin canal by about seven gunmen.
She was not physically injured but had a clot of blood in her left eye, which happened when a stick almost pierced her eye when her abductors took her through a thick bush.
She admitted, however, that they treated her nicely.
It was learnt that the kidnappers told her that they were given information by her neighbours that she is good to people in the area, providing them with a transformer and free water.
The kidnappers thought she and her husband were rich.
Toyin said: “Firstly I thank God, the Lord Jesus Christ, the angels, President Muhammadu Buhari, The Sun Newspaper staff, my staff at the local government, NIPR (Nigerian Institute of Public Relations) members, and our well wishers.
“I did not even know that I am this popular. I want to thank everybody, including the media houses. God is just the ultimate.
“I thank you so much that I am alive and kicking. One thing I will tell Nigerians is if you are doing well, continue to do it. God will help us all.”
Steve expressed joy at having his wife back after three days.
“If you have gotten used to having your wife around and you discover you can’t do anything without her, not knowing her well being was not easy.
He thanked the police, the Presidency, governors, The Sun family, and his readers and prayer warriors for making Toyin’s release possible.
“I have over 400 prayer texts from people I don’t even know. Maybe one day, I will publish them in my column.
“I am happy that my wife is back. She is not physically hurt but she just needs to get a rest because of the trauma she passed through. We are grateful to Nigerians,” Steve said.
“I pray that they [the kidnappers] should have a change of heart because that is not the best way to make money or make a living.”
The abductors demanded N100 million ransom but Steve said he does not have that kind of money.
“Do I look like someone who has N100 million lying anywhere?” he queried.
“All I know and would like to tell you is that she was picked from this house and dropped off at the spot where I picked her. Every other thing that happened in between, I don’t know.”
