The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has condemned the abduction of pupils, teachers and school officials during attacks on schools in Oyo State, warning that kidnappers were turning Nigerian classrooms into “Hunting grounds.”
The President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja, described the attacks on schools in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area as barbaric and unacceptable.
According to him, the invasion of schools by armed criminals and the forceful abduction of defenceless children represented a dangerous collapse of security in the country.
He said: “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.
“CAN 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.
“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.”
CAN decried the sight of terrified teachers and mothers pleading for mercy from captivity, describing it as “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.”
The association urged the Federal Government and security agencies to move beyond routine condemnations and take decisive steps to rescue the abducted victims and dismantle kidnapping networks threatening schools and rural communities.
“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 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 Christian body further warned that silence and delayed action against criminal networks would worsen insecurity across the country.
“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.
“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,” CAN warned.
