Founder of Streams of Joy International Jerry Eze has expressed concern over the abduction of school pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
A video of the cleric speaking on the incident during a church service surfaced on social media on Sunday.
Addressing his congregation, Pastor Eze said he had considered cancelling the Children’s Day celebration in his church because of the abduction.
According to him, he was troubled by the situation and concerned about the welfare of the children, including the emotional impact the experience could have on them.
“The people closest to me know I was on the brink of cancelling the Children’s Day celebration; I was on the brink of saying why does it have to hold. There is probably a mother somewhere who is on NSPPD and is saying to God, please let my children be released. I have two children; I don’t know how I will feel. The children are somewhere in the forest where we don’t know, without shelter. I am more worried about the trauma that will hit the children when they come out. I am praying that God will help them. It is so painful,” he said.
Eze, who also leads the online prayer platform New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD), prayed for the release of the pupils and teachers and urged the government and security agencies to take action.
His comments come days after singer Oludipe David, better known as Spyro, called on religious leaders to speak out about insecurity in the country.
In a video shared online, Spyro criticised churches, mosques and their leaders for continuing with regular activities while insecurity persists.
He said religious leaders should engage the government and advocate for citizens affected by the situation.
The singer mentioned several clerics, including Enoch Adeboye, David Oyedepo, William Kumuyi and Jerry Eze, urging them to speak publicly on the issue.
“It took me a while to make this video because I was waiting for the response of church and religious leaders. Where’s pastor Adeboye, Oyedepo, pastor Kumuyi in all of this? Where is pastor Bolaji in all of this? Where is Jerry Eze in all of this? Where are all the notable men of God in all of this?” he said.
