Pastor Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Centre has called on security agencies to urgently rescue 46 schoolchildren and their teachers abducted by terrorists in Oyo State, as well as other victims held in similar attacks across Nigeria.
In a statement on Friday, Adeyemi said the trauma faced by Nigerians was “profound,” citing the killing of a teacher who was beheaded during the Oyo attack. He also expressed concern over the fate of a 2-year-old child among the victims.
“However, these 46 are not alone; many more victims across Nigeria endure similar fates,” he said, adding that residents in parts of the South-West were living in fear due to escalating violence.
Adeyemi said insecurity had persisted in other regions for years, warning that Nigeria’s social and economic structure was contributing to rising criminality.
He said limited social mobility had left many young people uneducated and without skills or jobs, describing the situation as one that fuels banditry, kidnapping and cybercrime.
The cleric urged Nigerians not to wait for worsening conditions before engaging in discussions about the country’s future, calling for an urgent national dialogue.
“We should engage in this dialogue intentionally and now. The need for a national conversation about our country’s future is urgent,” he said.
Adeyemi said such a conversation should be driven by the country’s elite, who he said had a responsibility to help shape a more inclusive and economically stable Nigeria.
“Continuing on our current path is not an option,” he said. “We must view our challenges as unprecedented opportunities to build a new nation that works for everyone.”
