Religious leaders and youth groups have intensified spiritual efforts for the safe return of pupils and teachers abducted by gunmen in Oyo State, amid growing concerns over worsening insecurity in the region.
Members of the Oyo State League of Imams and Alfas, alongside the Muslim Community of Oyo State, gathered on Sunday at the Yidi Agodi Prayer Ground in Ibadan to seek divine intervention for the victims’ release.
The prayer session followed the abduction of 46 pupils and teachers during coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
Leading the gathering was the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo State, Sheikh Abdul-Ganiyy Abubakar Agbotomokekere, alongside hundreds of Islamic clerics, scholars and community leaders drawn from different parts of the state.
Speaking during the event, the Secretary-General of the Muslim Community of Oyo State, Alhaji Murisiku Abidemi Siyanbade, who represented the community’s chairman, Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sani, described the prayers as a response to the growing threat posed by armed groups infiltrating the state through Oriire.
He warned that unchecked criminal activities in the area could spread beyond the South-West to other regions of the country, stressing the need for collective prayers and decisive action to end the menace.
Siyanbade also distanced Islam from the activities of kidnappers and bandits, insisting that those behind the attacks were criminals whose actions were contrary to the teachings of the religion.
Meanwhile, Christian youths in Ogun State organised a peaceful prayer walk in Abeokuta, calling for divine intervention in Nigeria’s security and economic challenges.
The participants marched through major streets of the state capital, offering prayers for peace, unity and national progress while displaying placards bearing messages of hope and encouragement.
The youths said the initiative was aimed at seeking God’s intervention in the country’s persistent insecurity, kidnappings, economic hardship and social divisions.
They urged Nigerians not to lose hope in the nation’s future and appealed to security agencies and government authorities to intensify efforts to rescue abducted children and protect vulnerable communities.
In a related development, a political advocacy group, the National PDP Consensus for the Survival of Democracy in Nigeria, called on security agencies to investigate comments allegedly made by former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, concerning the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State.
The group’s convener, Ochachangolo Armstrong Adah, said Fayose’s remarks, which reportedly suggested that the Oyo State Government may have orchestrated the abduction to embarrass President Bola Tinubu, raised serious concerns that warranted scrutiny.
Adah maintained that the group’s demand was not politically motivated but intended to support efforts aimed at addressing insecurity and ensuring accountability.
He further urged security agencies to strengthen intelligence operations and bring those responsible for the kidnappings to justice.
While expressing sympathy with the affected families, the group commended ongoing rescue efforts and called for sustained action to secure the victims’ release.
As of the time of filing this report, Fayose had not publicly responded to the call for an investigation.