April 1, 2015 2:26 PM CEST
The Free Methodist Church USA has announced the release of its kidnapped missionary in Nigeria, Phyllis Sortor.
In a statement signed on behalf of the Board of
Bishops of the church, David W. Kendall said the
71-year-old Sortor was released by her captors
on Friday evening. Kendall said
armed gunmen abducted Sortor on Feb. 23 (not
Feb. 24 as previously reported) from Hope
Academy school in Emi-Oworo village in the
central Nigerian state of Kogi. Saying Sortor was released into the care of authorities and Free Methodist Church leaders, Kendall thanked all in Nigeria and in the United States for efforts to secure her release. He however refused to state whether the church or Nigerian authorities paid a ransom. “As a matter of sound policy, and to help protect the many, many people who helped secure Phyllis’ freedom, we will have no comment concerning the efforts that were undertaken to secure her release,” he said. “Please continue to pray for Phyllis as she processes the ordeal she has faced. Also pray for Phyllis’ family members, who have been profoundly affected by this experience. We are reaching out to them and will continue to minister to them in the days ahead.”
The Free Methodist Church USA has announced the release of its kidnapped missionary in Nigeria, Phyllis Sortor.