Sortor, kidnapped missionary, returns to Nigeria

Four months after gunmen abducted her from a missionary school in Emiworo village, Kogi state, Phyllis Sortor, has returned to Nigeria.

The 86-year old American, who regained freedom weeks later, told journalists at government house, Lokoja, capital of the state, that she returned to Nigeria to complete her missionary work as ordained by God

Describing the people of the village as a part and parcel of her life, Sortor said she was happy to be back.

She thanked the villagers for their concern during her ordeal in the hands of her captors, saying that they had been of great help to her.

She expressed gratitude to God for her safe rescue from her abductors and showered encomiums on the state government for being a part of the efforts that led to her release.

Yomi Awoniyi, deputy governor of the state, said the government was relieved and happy by her decision to come back to Nigeria.

Awoniyi described her as a woman of courage and great tenacity, saying that her action had put those behind her abduction to shame.

He pledged government’s further assistance to her school and cattle grazing project, assuring her of adequate security this time around.

A member of Free Methodists, Sortor was kidnapped from her school, Hope Academy, which also houses a branch of her church.

The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N60 million.