Nearly 100 people, many of them children and teachers, were abducted in two separate attacks in Nigeria over the weekend, intensifying fears over ongoing jihadist violence and growing insecurity across the nation.
As reported by Breitbart, the kidnappings occurred in Borno State and Oyo State, with at least 87 people reported missing following the coordinated assaults.
Breitbart, citing Nigerian newspaper Vanguard, reported: “Suspected gunmen abducted 45 students and teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Esiele, in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on Friday.”
The report added: “Similarly, within the same period, Boko Haram terrorists attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, abducting 42 students.”
Authorities believe the Borno attack was carried out by Boko Haram or Islamic State West Africa Province, both of which have terrorized northern Nigeria for years.
Order Jonathan Cahn’s New Book, “The Altar of Pergamon” on Amazon.com!
Eyewitnesses described armed men on motorcycles storming schools and fleeing with children while using them as “human shields” to prevent security forces from firing on them.
Families of the kidnapped children say they remain desperate for answers.
“We are deeply disturbed by the continued silence from the abductors. Nobody has contacted us or explained the reason for the abduction. The silence is tormenting us,” Muhammad Saleh, the parent of one of the missing children, told Daily Trust, according to Breitbart.
In Oyo state, a disturbing hostage video surfaced showing school principal Rachael Alamu pleading for help.
“Today, I am making this video to ask for help from everyone, starting from the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Oyo State Government, Engineer Seyi Makinde, the Christian Association of Nigeria, and all well-meaning Nigerians,” Alamu said in the video. “That they should come to our help and settle this thing peacefully so that our lives will not be lost.”
The violence escalated further when another video reportedly showed the beheading of teacher Michael Oyedokun. Seyi Makinde confirmed the killing on Monday.
The attacks have renewed concerns over the persecution of Christians and the worsening security crisis facing Nigeria. Many parents across northern regions reportedly have stopped sending their children to school out of fear of additional kidnappings.
We must continue to lift the persecuted church in Nigeria in prayer. We pray for the safe return of those abducted, comfort for grieving families and protection for Christians facing relentless violence and terror.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
