Ogbomoso Kidnap: Cleric Warns Against Politicising Insecurity

Founder of Zion Flames Prophetic and Intercessory Ministries, Apostle Momo Promise, has warned political leaders and stakeholders against politicising the worsening insecurity in the country following the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Promise, in a statement issued yesterday, described the attack as a national embarrassment and called for urgent and decisive action to rescue the victims and arrest those behind the crime.

“The insecurity must be addressed with all seriousness and not politicised. The Ogbomoso incident has brought yet another stain to our national pride. The perpetrators must be brought to book,” he said.

Gunmen reportedly dressed in military uniforms, had invaded three schools in Oriire Local Government Area near Ogbomoso on Friday, 16 May, abducting dozens of pupils and teachers.

The affected schools were Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele/Ahoro-Esinele axis.

Reports indicated that between 32 and 46 victims, including toddlers and teachers, were taken away by the attackers, while at least one teacher was reportedly killed in captivity.

The incident has heightened fear across Ogbomoso and surrounding communities, forcing many parents to withdraw their children from schools amid rumours of fresh attacks.

The cleric urged Nigerians to set aside ethnic, political and religious differences in confronting insecurity, warning that division and blame games would only worsen the crisis.

“We must put our differences aside to tackle this menace collectively. We only have this country and nowhere else,” he added.

Promise also called on the Federal Government and security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering and improve security presence in rural communities vulnerable to attacks.