The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has said God assured him that the abducted Oyo schoolchildren would be released but did not reveal when or how the rescue would take place.

Adeboye made the disclosure while speaking at the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23.

The cleric said he sought God's intervention after some Nigerians questioned the church's response to the abduction of 46 schoolchildren and members of staff in Oyo State.

"I was compelled to cry unto God because we have been fasting and praying for a particular group of schoolchildren who were captured," Adeboye said.

He recalled that the criticism intensified after the kidnappers allegedly killed a teacher and circulated a video of the incident.

"Some people then began to speak, challenging those of us who said we had been praying. They said, 'You are fasting, you are praying, where is your God?' So I went to the Lord in prayer, in deep agony. I said, 'Father, You have heard them. They said, "Where is our God?"'"

According to Adeboye, God responded by assuring him that the children would regain their freedom.

"He told me that the release of the children is going to be dramatic," the RCCG leader said.

However, he explained that God did not disclose the timing or the process of the rescue.

"He did not tell me the time or the details. He told me to leave that aspect in His hands and said He would talk to me about what would happen after this particular incident," Adeboye added.

The cleric also said God revealed what would happen to those sponsoring terrorism and kidnapping in Nigeria, although he did not provide further details.

"Some of the things He said included what would happen to those who have been sponsoring terrorism and kidnapping in Nigeria. He also spoke about several other things," he said.

Adeboye has faced criticism from some Nigerians over his perceived silence following the abduction of the Oriire schoolchildren and members of staff.

Responding to the criticism, the RCCG said Pastor Adeboye and the church should not be held responsible for the country's security challenges.

"RCCG is not a political party. Pastor Adeboye does not hold political office and was not elected into government," the church said in a statement.