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Seek God’s help over abducted pupils, CAN urges FG, Oyo

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Oyo State urged the Federal and State Governments to seek divine wisdom for the release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers.
  • Over 40 students and teachers were abducted on May 15, 2026, from three schools in Oyo State.
  • CAN is organizing a special prayer event on Saturday, July 11, 2026, to seek God's intervention for the victims' safe return.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Oyo State has advised the Federal and Oyo State Governments to rely on God's wisdom, rather than solely their own expertise, in their efforts to rescue over 40 schoolchildren and their teachers. The group was abducted on May 15, 2026, from three different schools in the state.

Wisdom is a thing that every individual, no matter how wise you may think you are, needs on a daily and even moment basis. So, we need more people of wisdom in the affairs of our nation, and it is not just ordinary wisdom but the wisdom of God. You must have the fear of God and do things in the way of the Lord.

— Revd Olukayode OgundiyaEmphasizing the need for divine wisdom in leadership and national affairs.

Revd Olukayode Ogundiya, Chairman of CAN in Oyo State, made these remarks during an interview on the sidelines of a book launch in Ibadan. He emphasized that leaders need God's wisdom for effective governance and urged them to fear God and follow His ways. Ogundiya stated that trusting solely in human expertise leads to negative outcomes, referencing the current situation.

If only our politicians and our leaders can trust God, I believe this nation will change for the better. But most of the time, we see that they trust their expertise. They trust in their own wisdom, and the Bible says nobody should trust in his or her own wisdom, and that’s just the basic. Whoever trusts in his or her own wisdom will see results as we are seeing them.

— Revd Olukayode OgundiyaContrasting trust in God versus human expertise for national improvement.

CAN is organizing a special one-day prayer service on Saturday, July 11, 2026. Eminent church leaders from across the region are expected to gather to pray for divine intervention and the immediate release of the victims. The abduction occurred during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in the Oriire Local Government Area.

So, what we have at hand is the weapon that we should use, and that’s prayer, waiting and trusting God that He will give us breakthrough. Anything else is just human understanding. We need prayer, trusting God and surrendering ourselves to Him so that He will give us breakthrough like these schoolchildren and their teachers that have been abducted.

— Revd Olukayode OgundiyaAdvocating for prayer and faith as the primary means to resolve the abduction crisis.

Ogundiya stressed that prayer, trust in God, and surrender are the essential tools for achieving a breakthrough in this crisis. He expressed confidence that divine intervention will lead to the safe return of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers, stating, "We have been praying, and I know very soon, the Lord will manifest Himself."

We have a programme on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Orita Mefa Baptist Church here in Ibadan where Church leaders and Christians will gather from 6 am till 6 pm with eminent Church leaders to call upon the name of the Lord, and I believe that the

— Revd Olukayode OgundiyaAnnouncing the upcoming prayer event.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.