The Christian Association of Nigeria has strongly condemned the abduction of schoolchildren, teachers and school officials during coordinated attacks on schools in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, warning that insecurity is rapidly spreading into parts of Nigeria once considered relatively peaceful.
In a statement issued by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN described the attacks as a “national disgrace” and said the growing wave of kidnappings targeting schools and rural communities reflects the deepening failure to dismantle criminal networks across the country.
“When children are hunted in classrooms, silence becomes complicity and delay becomes dangerous. Nigeria must act decisively to defeat these criminal networks before more innocent lives are destroyed,” Archbishop Okoh stated.
‘A Frightening Sign of Expanding Insecurity’
The Christian body expressed outrage that heavily armed attackers could invade multiple schools in broad daylight, terrorize communities, kill residents and abduct pupils and teachers without immediate resistance.
“This is not merely another security incident. It is a national disgrace and a frightening reminder that organized criminal violence is spreading into parts of the country once considered relatively secure,” the association said.
CAN warned that insecurity, once largely concentrated in parts of northern Nigeria, is now extending dangerously into the South-West and other regions, threatening national stability and public confidence in the country’s security architecture.
“What was once concentrated in parts of northern Nigeria is now spreading dangerously into the South-West and other regions, threatening national stability, public confidence and the safety of future generations,” the statement added.
Assistant Headmaster Mourned as Hero
The association also paid tribute to an assistant headmaster reportedly killed while trying to protect pupils during the attack, alongside other victims caught in the violence.
“Their sacrifice must never be forgotten, and those responsible must be identified, apprehended and prosecuted without hesitation,” CAN said.
The group lamented that many Nigerians have become exhausted by repeated official condolences and promises that rarely translate into concrete protection for vulnerable communities.
“Many Nigerians are tired of condolences without consequences and promises without protection,” the statement noted.
Calls for Urgent Government Action
CAN urged the Federal Government, security agencies and the Oyo State Government to move beyond routine public statements and immediately intensify rescue operations aimed at securing the unconditional release of all abducted victims.
The association stressed that safe school policies must go beyond policy documents and become visible security realities in rural communities.
“Safe school initiatives must no longer exist only on paper while students and teachers remain exposed to terror,” Archbishop Okoh said.
The Christian body called for stronger security presence around schools, improved surveillance of rural areas and aggressive operations against criminal hideouts and forest camps used by armed gangs.
“Rural communities, forest corridors and known criminal hideouts must be aggressively secured, monitored and reclaimed without delay,” the CAN president added.
Fear Grows Over Rising School Attacks
The attack has intensified fears about the safety of schools across Nigeria, especially in rural communities where security presence remains weak.
Over the past several years, mass kidnappings of students in northern Nigeria drew international attention, but recent incidents in parts of the South-West have heightened concerns that criminal groups are expanding their operations into new territories.
CAN expressed solidarity with the affected families, churches, school communities and residents of Oriire Local Government Area, while praying for the safe return of the abducted victims and comfort for grieving families.
