Oyo abduction: LAUTECH holds interfaith thanksgiving service

The Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, gathered for an interfaith thanksgiving and prayer session to celebrate the safe return of abducted individuals, including the spouses of two staff members. The ceremony brought together principal officers, deans, department heads, clerics, and staff to express gratitude for divine intervention.

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The university community gathered as Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths to offer thanksgiving and pray for continued peace, security and divine protection over LAUTECH, Ogbomosoland, Oyo State and Nigeria at large.

The abduction, which occurred on May 15, 2026, involved 44 schoolchildren and their teachers from three different schools in the Orire Local Government Area. After 56 harrowing days in captivity, the victims were safely rescued on July 10, 2026. The university community had been deeply affected by the incident, especially upon learning that families of their own staff were among those taken.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Razaq Kalilu addressed the gathering, stating, "The university community gathered as Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths to offer thanksgiving and pray for continued peace, security and divine protection over LAUTECH, Ogbomosoland, Oyo State and Nigeria at large." He acknowledged the traumatic nature of the event and the immense relief felt upon the victims' safe return.

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We thank God that we are all here. What happened about two months ago was indeed traumatic. It was a rude shock from which the university community did not recover until yesterday evening, when family members and relatives of the rescued kidnap victims saw them in person. Until that moment, the case was not closed.

Reflecting on the ordeal, University Chaplain Pastor David Olawuyi described the occasion as a testament to God's faithfulness. He encouraged the affected families, particularly Prof. Wole Alamu, husband of the rescued school principal, to maintain their trust in God. Words of encouragement were also offered by the Chief Imam of the State Hospital, Ogbomoso, Mr. Isiaka Muhammed, and prayers were recited from the Holy Qur'an. Prof. Alamu, speaking on behalf of the families, expressed profound gratitude to God and the university community for their unwavering support throughout the ordeal.

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Today, we want to thank God for His faithfulness. We hoped that these people would come back to us alive, and He made it possible. We are here to offer our appreciation and thanksgiving to God Almighty.