The Catholic Bishops of the Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province have raised serious concerns over the welfare of persons abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, noting that the victims have spent over five weeks in captivity under harsh conditions.
In a statement issued in Ibadan and signed by the President of the Province, Most Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, and the Secretary, Most Rev. Anselm Lawani, the bishops called for the immediate and unconditional release of all abductees.
They lamented that the victims had endured prolonged exposure to harsh weather conditions without shelter or adequate care, urging authorities to take urgent and decisive action to secure their freedom.
The province, which comprises the Ibadan Archdiocese and the dioceses of Ondo, Ilorin, Oyo, Ekiti and Osogbo, recalled that armed attackers invaded three public schools in Oriire LGA on May 15, killing an assistant head teacher and a commercial motorcyclist.
The clerics also expressed concern over reports that abductees were surviving under severe deprivation in forest locations while in the custody of criminal elements.
They condemned the killings and abductions as a brutal attack on human dignity and an affront to education and community life, particularly in the South-West.
According to the bishops, the violence has turned the affected community into a zone of fear and sorrow, while undermining long-standing cultural and educational values.
While acknowledging repeated assurances from government authorities, they noted that insecurity across the country remains persistent, with frequent reports of kidnappings and attacks in rural communities and farmlands.
They further expressed concern over rising attacks on security personnel, including police officers and soldiers.
The bishops said they could no longer remain silent over the prolonged suffering of the abductees and their families, describing the situation as deeply painful and unacceptable.
They strongly condemned what they called a continued failure to prevent recurring violent crimes, warning that such incidents erode public confidence in governance and security institutions.
Comparing the situation to past national abductions, they urged the Oyo State Government to act swiftly to prevent a repeat of similar unresolved cases.
They also appealed to the Federal Government and the National Assembly to accelerate the establishment of state policing structures, alongside appropriate legal safeguards for effective implementation.
The clerics called for stronger security measures, including improved surveillance of forest areas, enhanced intelligence gathering, community-based security participation and the use of modern technology in policing.
They criticised the practice of integrating individuals described as “repentant bandits” into society or security structures, while victims of violence remain neglected.
According to them, such actions undermine justice and weaken the moral foundation of the social contract.
The bishops insisted that perpetrators of kidnapping and armed violence must face the full weight of the law to deter future crimes.
They also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, law-abiding and prayerful, especially for victims and security operatives working in difficult conditions.
They concluded that every citizen deserves safety and dignity, stressing that no community should be left to suffer violence and insecurity while authorities appear overwhelmed or inactive.