Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, on Friday led a special prayer session for the safe release of pupils, teachers, and others abducted in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.
The event, held at the Oyo State Government House Central Mosque, was convened to rally support for ongoing security efforts and seek divine intervention for the victims’ rescue and safe return.
The prayer session, led by the mosque’s Chief Imam, Sheikh Isiaq Abdul-Lateef, brought together members of the Muslim community, Islamic scholars, and top government officials amid growing concern over the victims’ fate.
Speaking with journalists after the prayer, Barr. Lawal said the session was organized to support the government and security forces and demonstrate spiritual backing for the rescue efforts.
He said: “The Oyo State Government under Governor Seyi Makinde is not relenting in securing the release of the pupils, students, and their teachers.
“In furtherance of the efforts of the Oyo State and Federal governments, we believe that as Muslims, offering prayers to Almighty Allah will assist and support all human efforts.
“Today’s Juma’at service here at the Government House is dedicated as a supplication to Almighty Allah to ensure the abducted children, students, and teachers who are indigenes of Oyo State are released quickly and unhurt.
“As you witnessed, it was a solemn occasion. We also prayed for peace and stability for the people of Oyo State and Nigeria, so that abduction, kidnapping, and insecurity will become a thing of the past.”
Also speaking, the Chief Imam, Sheikh Abdul-Lateef however stated that prayer remains essential in times of difficulty, noting that with Allah’s intervention, the victims will be released.
“No one has power over anything but to pray to Allah over challenges. With Allah’s divine intervention, all things are possible,” he said.
Sheikh Abdul-Lateef commended the state government’s efforts to secure the victims’ release and prayed for their freedom.
In the entourage of the Deputy Governor included Chairman of the Oyo State Project Performance Monitoring Agency and APM Deputy Governorship Nominee, Hon. Muftau Open Salawu; Commissioner for Special Duties, Joke Sanni; Commissioner for Works and Transport, Mogbonjubola Jagaban; and other government officials.
After the prayers, the Deputy Governor feted Muslim faithful at the Juma’at service with food as an act of Iba’dah.
