NSCEA Hails Rescue of Oyo Pupils

….Urges FG to Secure Release of Kaduna Church Worshippers

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Ecclesiastical Affairs (NSCEA) has commended the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, and security agencies for the successful rescue of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, while calling for urgent action to free Christian worshippers still being held by kidnappers in Kaduna State.

In a statement signed by the Secretary of the Elders’ Council, Bishop Professor Funmilayo Adesanya-Davies, the Council described the rescue of the schoolchildren and teachers after weeks in captivity as a significant achievement that demonstrated the effectiveness of coordinated, intelligence-driven security operations.

NSCEA praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies for their efforts in securing the victims’ freedom.

While celebrating the development, the Council said the nation’s joy would remain incomplete as long as many innocent Nigerians were still being held captive across the country.

It expressed concern over the abduction of Christian worshippers during attacks on churches in Kaduna State, noting reports that armed attackers had stormed churches in Kurmin Wali community and abducted dozens of worshippers, with church leaders claiming that more than 160 people had remained in captivity since the Easter period.

The Council also recalled the Easter Sunday attack on First ECWA and St. Augustine Catholic churches in Ariko village, Kachia Local Government Area, during which several worshippers were killed and others abducted.

NSCEA further referenced the January 18, 2026 attack on three churches in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area, where 177 worshippers were reportedly abducted by armed bandits.

The organisation urged the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify rescue operations aimed at securing the unconditional release of all worshippers still in captivity.

It also called for stronger intelligence gathering, increased protection for churches, schools and vulnerable rural communities, prosecution of those responsible for kidnappings and terrorist attacks, and improved collaboration among security agencies to prevent future incidents.

The Council appealed to Christians across Nigeria and the international community to continue praying and advocating for the release of all kidnapped persons, including church members, students, teachers and other innocent Nigerians.

NSCEA reaffirmed its commitment to promoting justice, peace, religious freedom, and the protection of all Nigerians, stressing that every citizen still in captivity deserved the same level of commitment that secured the rescue of the Oriire pupils and teachers.