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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) today condemned the abduction of schoolchildren, teachers and school officials during attacks on schools in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
CAN advised the federal and state governments to tackle the crisis with forceful action, reports The Nation.
The religious body expressed shock that the growing wave of kidnappings and attacks on schools is spreading into parts of the country once considered relatively safe.
CAN president, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement issued in Abuja said it is outraged that heavily armed attackers were able to storm multiple schools, terrorise communities, kill innocent people and disappear with dozens of pupils and teachers.
Okoh said: “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 Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, condemns in the strongest and most unequivocal terms the barbaric abduction of schoolchildren, teachers and school officials during coordinated attacks on schools in the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
“The invasion of schools by armed criminals in broad daylight, the murder of innocent citizens, and the forceful abduction of defenceless children represent a horrifying collapse of security and a direct assault on the conscience of our 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.
“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 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.
“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. 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.
“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.
“Nigeria must never surrender its schools, its children or its future to armed criminals. 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.
“CAN stands in solidarity with the affected families, churches, school communities and residents of Oriire Local Government Area during this painful period. We pray for the safe return of all abducted victims and for comfort, strength and healing for every family affected by this tragedy.
“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”.
