In response to a surge in kidnappings across Oyo State, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has issued a directive requiring churches to enhance their security protocols immediately. State Chairman Rev. Elisha Ogundiya and Secretary Very Rev. Samuel Owolabi released a formal statement in Ibadan urging congregations to halt all activities held late at night.
The association advised church leadership to install surveillance technology and deploy professional security staff to protect congregants and church assets. Facilities lacking proper gates or perimeter fencing have been urged to make these structural improvements a top priority. Furthermore, church leaders are cautioned against permitting strangers to reside on their grounds and are encouraged to conduct thorough background checks on all support staff.
Beyond church grounds, the organization encourages all residents to minimize non-essential travel and strictly follow the state government’s existing 10:30 p.m. ban on commercial motorcycle operations. The association also requested that the public handle security information with discretion to avoid compromising official rescue efforts. While the group remains supportive of state and federal initiatives to free captives—including those recently abducted in Orire—they continue to push for more aggressive actions to guarantee the safety of all citizens.