The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has condemned the recent terrorist attack in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the abduction of schoolchildren, teachers and school officials during coordinated attacks on schools as barbaric and heartbreaking.
In a statement signed by its President, Daniel Okoh, the association expressed deep concern over the worsening insecurity across the country, particularly the growing attacks targeting schools and innocent civilians.
CAN stated that the invasion of schools by armed criminals in broad daylight, the killing of innocent citizens and the forceful abduction of defenceless children represent a horrifying collapse of security and a direct assault on the conscience of the nation.
“It is intolerable, disgraceful and utterly unacceptable that Nigerian children can no longer sit safely in classrooms without the fear of being kidnapped by armed gangs,” the statement read.
The association said it was outraged that heavily armed attackers were able to storm multiple schools, terrorise communities, kill innocent people and escape with dozens of pupils and teachers without immediate resistance.
According to CAN, the incident goes beyond an ordinary security breach and reflects the growing spread of organised criminal violence into regions previously considered relatively peaceful.
“This is not merely another security incident. It is a national disgrace and a frightening reminder that organised criminal violence is spreading into parts of the country once considered relatively secure,” the statement added.
CAN also mourned the reported killing of a school official who reportedly attempted to protect the students during the attack, describing the act as courageous and sacrificial.
“We mourn the reported killing of the assistant headmaster who courageously tried to protect the children, as well as other innocent victims caught in this horrific attack. Their sacrifice must never be forgotten, and those responsible must be identified, apprehended and prosecuted without hesitation,” the association stated.
The organisation further lamented the emotional trauma faced by families of the victims, saying the sight of terrified teachers and helpless mothers pleading for mercy from captivity was deeply disturbing and unacceptable.
“The sight of terrified teachers and helpless mothers pleading for mercy from inside captivity is a national humiliation that no responsible society should tolerate. No parent should ever have to watch helplessly as their child is dragged into the forest by gunmen. No teacher should have to choose between educating children and risking abduction or death,” CAN said.
The Christian body noted that Nigerians had become frustrated with repeated condolences and assurances from authorities without concrete action to dismantle criminal networks responsible for kidnappings and violent attacks.
“Nigerians are exhausted by condolences without consequences and promises without protection. The continued failure to decisively dismantle kidnapping networks and armed criminal groups is steadily normalising terror across the country,” the statement continued.
CAN warned that insecurity, once concentrated mainly in parts of Northern Nigeria, was now spreading dangerously into the South-West and other regions, posing a major threat to national stability, public confidence and the safety of future generations.
The association called on the Federal Government, security agencies and the Oyo State Government to move beyond routine statements and take urgent, coordinated and decisive action to secure the release of the abducted victims and bring those responsible to justice.
“We therefore call on the Federal Government, security agencies and the Oyo State Government to move beyond routine statements and demonstrate immediate, forceful and coordinated action. Every available security and intelligence resource must be deployed to secure the unconditional release of the abducted victims and bring the perpetrators and their collaborators to justice,” CAN stated.
The organisation stressed that Nigeria must not surrender its schools, children and future to criminal elements, urging authorities to strengthen security around schools, rural communities, forest corridors and known criminal hideouts.
“Safe school initiatives must no longer exist only on paper while students and teachers remain exposed to terror. Rural communities, forest corridors and known criminal hideouts must be aggressively secured, monitored and reclaimed without delay,” the statement added.
CAN also expressed solidarity with the affected families, churches, school communities and residents of Oriire Local Government Area during what it described as a painful and traumatic period.
“When children are hunted in their classrooms, silence becomes complicity and delay becomes dangerous. Nigeria must act decisively to defeat these criminal networks before more innocent lives are destroyed,” the association concluded.
Post comments (0)