A Seattle missionary who was abducted in Nigeria in late February was released Friday, the Free Methodist Church reported.
The Rev. Phyllis Sortor, 71, was kidnapped Feb. 23 from the Hope Academy compound in Emiworo, Kogi state. She was released Friday evening, Nigeria time, the church said in a statement on its website.
The church did not provide details about its efforts to secure Sortor’s release, “as a matter of sound policy, and to help protect the many, many people who helped secure Phyllis’ freedom,” the church website says.
Sortor was abducted by five armed men after she had returned from a morning meeting, according to Nigerian police. The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of about $300,000. “Please continue to pray for Phyllis as she processes the ordeal she has faced,” the Free Methodist Church website says. “Also pray for Phyllis’ family members who have been profoundly affected by the experience. We are reaching out to them and will continue to minister to them in the days ahead.”
Sortor grew up in Mozambique, where her parents were missionaries. She graduated in 1964 from Seattle Pacific University, which is affiliated with the Free Methodist Church. “The Seattle Pacific University community is thankful for the release of alumna Phyllis Sortor, and for the many people who worked to secure her freedom,” Seattle Pacific University said in a statement. “May God continue to bless her life’s work and ministry with the people of Nigeria.”
Sortor spent much of her adulthood in Seattle before she and her husband, Jim, relocated to Rwanda, where they lived for nearly six years.
After that, they worked in Nigeria, according to the church. Sortor remained in Nigeria after her husband’s death in 2008. There, she helped establish schools and institute grazing projects in Kogi state in the central region of Nigeria. She had recently helped open a school for nomadic Fulani children.
“Phyllis was aware there were risks associated with her ministry, but also knew there are very few places in the world without risks and dangers,” the church website says.
