₦airaland Forum

The Redeemed Christian Church of God has described the rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State as an answer to prayers, thanking God and security agencies for securing their freedom.

In a post on its official X handle on Friday, the church said the rescue of the victims fulfilled God’s promise after weeks of prayers and fasting.

"And our God arose like He promised! Let somebody shout Hallelujah!! Glory be to our God for answering our prayers and fulfilling His word.

“We appreciate the efforts of all the security agencies in securing the release of our school children and their teachers from captivity. Congratulations to each of them and their families. Our God answers prayers. Hallelujah!!!” the church wrote.

The post was accompanied by a video of the General Overseer of the RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, speaking during the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23.

In the video, Adeboye disclosed that the church had been praying and fasting for the safe return of the abducted schoolchildren after one of their teachers was killed in captivity.

"We have been fasting, we have been praying for a particular group of school children that were captured and the kidnappers felt that the government was not reacting fast enough to give them the money they asked for.

"They slaughtered their teacher and showed the video to the rest of the world. And then God spoke to me, told me that as for the release of the children, it’s going to be dramatic. But He didn’t tell me the time or the details,” Adeboye said.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that Adeboye raised concerns over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity during the same event, saying terrorism and kidnapping had spread from northern Nigeria to the South.

He also defended President Bola Tinubu against criticisms over insecurity, arguing that the President had fulfilled his responsibility by issuing directives to the military, while urging him to give military commanders a 90-day ultimatum to eliminate terrorism and go after those financing the attacks.

PUNCH Online also reported on Friday that the abducted pupils and teachers regained their freedom after spending 57 days in captivity.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the development, saying security agencies successfully rescued the victims.

According to him, no concession was made to the terrorists during the operation.

The victims were abducted on May 15, 2026, when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.

No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were kidnapped during the attacks.

During the incident, teacher Joel Adesiyan was killed while attempting to escape, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded by the kidnappers.

The abductors had reportedly demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law before freeing the captives.

However, the Oyo State Government consistently maintained that it would not pay ransom to secure the victims’ release.

Light1000:
Story for the gods. Let that your so called "prayer" develop the country to the level of China or even at least Egypt,Morocco and SA close by then we can talk.

This was the day I forgave Sheik Gumi. I normally thought he was the problem until I watch this interview.pic.twitter.com/dWWIorLYuK

— Vindicated Chidi 🕊 (@Vindicatedchidi) June 26, 2026

lexylaw09:
Your God Peter Obi said he takes advice from a mad man.. so I'm not surprised at his followers

Light1000:
Story for the gods. Let that your so called "prayer" develop the country to the level of China or even at least Egypt,Morocco and SA close by then we can talk.

lexylaw09:
Obedients ... How market

Thank God the children where finally rescued

PRESS RELEASE

11/7/2026

While 177 Kwarans Remain in Captivity, Governor AbdulRazaq Chases Political Opponents With Saraki as His Major Target: A Leader Who Has Lost Focus Has No Business Remaining in Office

*Text of a Press Conference Addressed by the PDP Unifier Group (PUG) on the Worsening Security Crisis and the Misplaced Priorities of the AbdulRazaq Administration*

Gentlemen of the Press,

We thank you for honouring our invitation to this press conference.

Today, we address you with profound sadness and a deep sense of responsibility. We do so because the security of our people has deteriorated to an alarming level, while the Government of Kwara State, in our view, appears more preoccupied with political battles than with the protection of innocent lives.

This is no longer about party politics. It is about human lives. It is about leadership. It is about a government that, in our opinion, has abandoned its primary responsibility.

It is a tragedy that, according to reports, 176 residents of Woro in Kaiama Local Government Area—including women, children, elderly persons and a pregnant woman—were abducted about 159 days ago and are yet to regain their freedom. We understand that the pregnant woman has since delivered a baby while in captivity, increasing the number of victims to 177.

For nearly six months, these innocent Kwarans have remained in the hands of their abductors. Their families wake up every day with fear, uncertainty and heartbreak. Yet the level of urgency expected from a responsible government has, in our view, been glaringly absent.

What is even more disturbing is that while these innocent citizens remain in captivity, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq appears to have shifted his attention elsewhere.

Rather than demonstrating visible leadership by coordinating rescue efforts, rallying security agencies, engaging affected communities and reassuring frightened citizens, the Governor has chosen to devote significant political attention to pursuing his opponents. Of particular concern to us is the ongoing legal action involving the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON, over political comments arising from public discourse.

We believe this reflects a disturbing misplacement of priorities.

At a time when hundreds of families are praying daily for the return of their loved ones, the Governor's energy should be directed towards defeating kidnappers—not engaging in political confrontations. Kwarans expect their Governor to wage war against criminality, not against political opponents.

The contrast with neighbouring Oyo State could not be clearer.

When 49 persons were kidnapped in Oyo State, Governor Seyi Makinde took personal responsibility, coordinated the response, remained actively engaged and sustained pressure on security agencies until the victims were rescued after 51 days.

That is what leadership looks like.

Leadership is not measured by political propaganda or carefully staged gatherings. Leadership is measured by the willingness to stand with your people when they are under attack and to exhaust every lawful means until they are safe.

Sadly, that example is missing in Kwara State.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has, in our opinion, failed to provide the decisive leadership expected at one of the darkest moments in the history of our state. His prolonged absence from the centre of this security emergency has created the painful impression that politics has become more important than the lives of ordinary Kwarans.

The Constitution places the security and welfare of the people above every other responsibility of government. Once a government begins to treat political disputes with greater urgency than the safety of its citizens, it has fundamentally lost sight of the purpose of governance.

For this reason, the PDP Unifier Group (PUG) states unequivocally that Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has lost the confidence that effective leadership demands. If he cannot devote his full attention to protecting the lives of Kwarans and confronting the insecurity ravaging our communities, then honour requires that he step aside.

We therefore call on Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to resign from office for what we consider a sustained failure of leadership and an unacceptable neglect of the constitutional duty to protect the people of Kwara State.

We equally call on the Federal Government and all security agencies to intensify every available effort towards securing the immediate rescue of every person still being held in captivity in Woro and other affected communities across Kwara State.

To the grieving families, we assure you that your pain is not forgotten. We shall continue to speak until every captive returns home safely and until Kwara once again has a government that values the lives of its citizens above political vendettas.

No Governor should be remembered for chasing political opponents while his own people remain in the forests.

PUG is committed to responsible leadership, justice and the protection of every kwaran.

Kwarans deserve better.

Thank you.

Signed:

Arc. Ayuba Musbau Kawu, Convener, PDP Unifier Group (PUG)

lexylaw09:
Obedients ... How market

Thank God the children where finally rescued

Mattswaggz:
https://punchng.com/god-answered-prayers-over-oyo-pupils-rescue-says-rccg/