The Archbishop of Ibadan Province, Anglican Communion, Dr. Williams Aladekugbe, has described the abduction of staff and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and of citizens around Idi Ayunre as ungodly, immoral, and criminal.
In a statement personally signed on Wednesday, the cleric said he received the news with shock and condemned the attack as “despicable and barbaric.”
Aladekugbe, who is also the Bishop of Ibadan North Diocese, condemned the killing of innocent people in the incident, particularly the gruesome murder of a mathematics teacher. He extended his sympathies to Governor Seyi Makinde and the bereaved families.
“The abduction of innocent teachers and pupils in their schools cannot be justified by any standard. We condemn in strong terms the killing of one of the teachers. It is ungodly, immoral, and criminal,” he said.
The archbishop urged all levels of government to collaborate to secure the quick release of the abducted children and their teachers. He also cautioned politicians against turning the tragedy into a political issue or introducing religious coloration into the governance of the state.
“We condemn in its entirety the politics people bring into it and all forms of religious coloration into the governance of the state. Politics should be played with the fear of God in mind, as we will all stand before the judgement seat of God to account for our deeds,” he said.
Aladekugbe called for proper profiling of foreigners in the state to identify those with dubious intentions, and said criminals should be dealt with according to the law.
He urged governments at all levels to invest more in security, noting that “there is no substitute for lives.” He added that insecurity does not respect political party lines and should not be used for partisan gain.
“Our heartfelt sympathy goes to those abducted and their families. Our prayer is that the Almighty God Himself will intervene in their situation and free them, and ensure the security of the state and the nation,” he said.
