CAN Condemns Oyo School Abductions, Calls It National Disgrace

The Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN), has condemned the abduction of pupils, teachers and school officials during coordinated attacks on schools in the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, describing the incident as a “national disgrace” and evidence of worsening insecurity in the South-West.

The association expressed outrage that heavily armed attackers invaded multiple schools, terrorised residents, killed innocent persons and abducted dozens of schoolchildren and teachers.

In a statement issued on Monday, CAN president, Daniel Okoh, said the daylight invasion of schools by armed criminals reflected a disturbing collapse of security across the country.

“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.

According to CAN, the attack goes beyond an isolated security breach and signals the growing spread of organised criminal violence into regions previously considered relatively safe.

“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.

“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 association stated.

CAN also mourned the reported killing of an assistant headmaster who allegedly attempted to shield the children 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,” the statement added.

The Christian body lamented what it described as increasing public frustration over persistent insecurity and repeated attacks across the country.

“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,” CAN said.

The association warned that insecurity, once largely concentrated in parts of northern Nigeria, was now spreading dangerously into the South-West and other regions, posing threats to national stability and public confidence.

CAN called on the federal government, security agencies and the Oyo State Government to take urgent and coordinated steps to rescue the abducted victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“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,” the statement noted.

The association further urged authorities to strengthen security around schools, rural communities, forest corridors and suspected criminal hideouts, stressing that educational institutions and children must not be left vulnerable to criminal gangs.

“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.

The group also expressed solidarity with affected families, churches and residents of Oriire Local Government Area, while praying for the safe return of all abducted victims.