CAN condemns Oyo school attacks, abductions, killing of assistant headmaster
Christian Association of Nigeria Condemns School Attacks in Oyo State
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has condemned the recent killing of an assistant headmaster, who was reportedly attempting to shield children during coordinated assaults on schools in the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State.
In a statement released Monday, CAN’s President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, emphasized that the sacrifices made by the assistant headmaster and other victims must not be forgotten. He urged authorities to identify, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible for the attacks.
The association specifically denounced the abduction of schoolchildren, teachers, and administrators during these incidents, labeling them a “national disgrace” and indicative of a deteriorating security situation across the country. Okoh described the invasion of schools by armed criminals as a direct assault on the nation’s conscience, highlighting the alarming escalation of threats posed by organized criminal groups.
“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,” Okoh stated.
CAN expressed deep concern over reports that armed attackers targeted multiple schools, terrorizing communities and abducting dozens of students and educators. The organization characterized these incidents as more than routine security breaches; they reflect a disturbing trend of violent crime spreading into areas previously considered secure.
The association criticized the “national humiliation” of witnessing teachers and parents pleading for mercy while their loved ones remain in captivity. “No parent should have to watch helplessly as their child is dragged into the forest by gunmen,” it stated, adding that educators should not have to choose between teaching and risking abduction or death.
CAN called attention to the ongoing issue of kidnappings and the apparent inability to dismantle criminal networks, stressing that such circumstances are gradually normalizing terror throughout the country. What was once confined to parts of northern Nigeria is now encroaching upon the South-West and other regions, threatening public confidence and national stability.
In response, the association appealed to the Federal Government, security agencies, and the Oyo State Government to intensify efforts for the immediate rescue of the abducted victims. It urged the deployment of all available security and intelligence resources to secure the unconditional release of those taken and to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable.
Furthermore, CAN called for enhanced protection for schools, particularly in rural areas, advocating for increased surveillance and security operations around forests and known criminal hideouts.
