PRAY: Diabetic pastor and his teenage daughter kidnapped in Nigeria

Even though funds were raised and paid for the ransom of a pastor and his 13-year-old daughter in Nigeria, captors continue holding onto them, demanding more money. 

Isa Andrew, chaplain with All Saints Protestant Church of the Zamfara State Police Command, and his 13-year-old daughter, Grace Isa Andrew, were kidnapped on July 14, taken from their home in northwestern Nigeria. 

Demands were made from the captors and family and friends collectively paid 6 million naira ($3,770 USD). However, instead of releasing the father and his teenage daughter, the captors simply demanded the same amount again and three motorcycles by August 15 or they threatened to kill them. 

The Andrews's relatives got a video of Isa talking while blindfolded, appealing for help. Isa's daughter Grace was in the video standing beside him, holding a rifle, which is a sign indicating she would be married off and made to join the assailants.

“We did all we could, we sold everything that we have; sold our properties, sold our car, sold our items; we took loans, my brother took loans, my wife took loans persons of goodwill also assisted us to raise the 6 million naira that was demanded,” said Pastor Andrew in the video. “As it is, fellow Nigerians, I want to beg of you, I want to beg of our nation’s first lady, the mother of the nation, to please come to our aid. She’s the Esther of our time, please come to our aid."

Isa also mentioned that his health was waning as he is a diabetic. His daughter is also being exposed to maltreatment and starvation since being abducted. 

“Please come to our aid, assist us. We have been given from now up to next week Thursday, 15 August, 2024, otherwise I will be executed, and my daughter will be forcefully married out. She’s just 13 years of age,” he said. “Please help us. I need your help. The Lord bless you.”

The State Police Commissioner Mohammed Dalijan has shared that 53 patrol vehicles have been dispatched to multiple streets in Gusau. 

There is no word on what has happened to Isa or Grace as of August 21, but the family is asking for prayers.