Bishop Badejo urges prayers after Ogbomoso school kidnappings as attacks leave dead, dozens abducted, and teachers protest insecurity.
Newsroom (20/05/2026 Gaudium Press ) A wave of violence targeting schools in southwestern Nigeria has prompted urgent calls for prayer, accountability, and decisive security measures, following the abduction of dozens of students and teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
Bishop Emmanuel Adetoyese Badejo has appealed to the Catholic faithful to include prayers for the victims in every Mass, as concern deepens over the safety of those held captive and the broader security situation in the region.
Appeal for Spiritual and National Response
In a strongly worded statement, Bishop Badejo called on worshippers to unite in prayer for the safe release of the kidnapped victims.
“Let us pray for the release of the hostages kidnapped from the schools in Ogbomoso,” he urged.
The bishop emphasized the need to incorporate this intention into all religious observances, including Holy Masses, intercessory prayers, and the ongoing Novena to the Holy Spirit. His appeal also extended beyond spiritual action to governance, urging leaders to respond decisively to the crisis.
“I also ask that we pray earnestly for our government, that God may grant our leaders the wisdom, insight, and courage needed to act swiftly and decisively in the protection of our people,” Badejo said.
Coordinated School Attacks Leave Dead and Dozens Abducted
The appeal comes days after a coordinated armed attack on May 15, when gunmen riding motorcycles stormed multiple schools in the Ahoro-Esinele area of Oriire District near Ogbomoso.
The targeted institutions included the Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Esiele, and LA Primary School in Ogbomoso. According to police reports, two individuals were killed during the assault.
In total, at least 45 students, a school principal, and seven teachers were abducted. The scale and coordination of the attack have raised alarm among residents and officials alike, signaling a troubling escalation in violence against educational institutions.
Further distress emerged days later when videos circulated on social media on May 17. In the footage, the abducted principal and a teacher made urgent appeals to federal and state authorities, pleading for intervention to secure their release.
The situation worsened with confirmation from the Oyo State governor that a mathematics teacher had been killed while still in captivity, underscoring the grave risks faced by the hostages.
Arrests and Expanding Security Concerns
Authorities have since taken action, with law enforcement agencies arresting six individuals suspected of complicity in the kidnappings, along with three others identified as persons of interest.
Officials believe broader regional dynamics may be contributing to the violence. According to the governor, increased military pressure on Islamist groups in northeastern Nigeria has forced some elements to relocate to other parts of the country, including the southwest.
This displacement appears to be expanding the geographical scope of extremist activity. In neighboring Benin, authorities are reportedly facing mounting threats from Islamist groups of Nigerian origin. In response, Nigerian military units have been deployed to assist Beninese forces in containing the growing security challenge.
Teachers Demand Immediate Protection Measures
The kidnappings have sparked outrage among educators. On May 19, teachers in Ogbomoso staged protests that disrupted school operations, demanding urgent government intervention and stronger protection for schools.
Their demonstration reflects widespread fear within the education sector, where repeated attacks have increasingly made schools targets of armed violence.
A Region on Edge
The Ogbomoso kidnappings highlight a worsening security environment in areas previously considered relatively stable. The combination of shifting militant activity, vulnerable infrastructure, and slow response mechanisms has created conditions ripe for further incidents.
For Bishop Badejo and many others, the response must be both spiritual and strategic—combining faith-driven solidarity with concrete policy and security reforms.
As families await news of their loved ones, the crisis underscores an urgent need for coordinated action to safeguard education and restore confidence in public safety across the region.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Fides News
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