The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has expressed strong outrage over the abduction of 25 students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi State and the violent attack and kidnapping of Christian worshippers in Eruku, Kwara State.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Director General of the Agency, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, described both incidents as “reprehensible and unacceptable,” warning that such criminal acts threaten Nigeria’s collective values, security, and unity.
Issa-Onilu condemned the Kebbi school abduction as a direct assault on the rights of children to safety and education, stressing that such violence undermines national progress toward improving access to education particularly for girls.
“No child seeking education should ever be put at risk. Schools must remain safe spaces where children can learn, grow, and aspire without fear,” he said.
The NOA DG also decried the attack on Christian worshippers in Eruku Town, offering condolences to the affected families and describing the assault as one that strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s religious harmony.
“Any act aimed at harming citizens because of their faith is unlawful, senseless, and deeply unpatriotic,” Issa-Onilu stated, reaffirming that freedom of worship is a constitutional right that must be protected at all times.
He assured Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed security agencies to intensify their operations to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted schoolgirls and worshippers.
According to him, coordinated security efforts and strengthened intelligence gathering are already underway across the affected states.
Speaking further, Issa-Onilu highlighted the importance of public involvement in tackling insecurity.
He noted that the Agency’s monthly National Security Briefing continues to provide Nigerians with updates on the progress made by security and regulatory agencies.
The NOA DG called on citizens to play an active role in safeguarding their communities by promptly providing credible information that could help prevent attacks and protect lives.
