The founder of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, has questioned why kidnappers involved in major abduction cases in Nigeria are rarely arrested, suggesting that influential individuals may be backing such crimes.
Speaking during a church service on Wednesday at the Salvation Ministries headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the cleric reacted to the recent abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The attack, which occurred on 15 May in the Ahoro-Esinle and Yawota communities, resulted in the kidnapping of about 46 people, including 39 students and seven teachers. The incident has sparked renewed concerns about the security of schools across the country.
Ibiyeomie argued that kidnappers could not carry out such operations without support from powerful sponsors.
“They are not just picking those children without sponsors. There are politicians behind it. They can’t pick children and show their faces without sponsors,” he said.
The pastor also questioned why security agencies have been unable to consistently apprehend those responsible for kidnappings despite the availability of surveillance and tracking technology.
“Do you know that even DSS kind of work, they would know where the people are. There must be an invisible hand behind it, because DSS can track you; if you are calling from anywhere, they would know where you are. So how come in Nigeria nobody is ever caught?” he asked.
He did not provide evidence to support his allegation that politicians are sponsoring kidnappers.
Ibiyeomie also expressed concern about declining public confidence in key democratic institutions, particularly the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He urged both institutions to protect their credibility and resist political influence.
“I want to appeal to two sets of people not to disappoint us, the judiciary and INEC,” he said.
The cleric further criticised what he described as inconsistent judicial rulings, arguing that conflicting interpretations of similar legal matters have weakened public trust in the courts.
According to him, institutions should remain strong and independent regardless of the actions of politicians.
He also urged public officials to consider the legacy they leave behind, warning that actions that undermine public institutions could have lasting consequences.
The pastor criticised religious leaders who, in his view, compromise their convictions for political patronage or financial gain, saying he refuses to support individuals whose actions he believes are wrong.
Concluding his message, Ibiyeomie prayed for the safe release of the abducted pupils and teachers and expressed confidence that they would regain their freedom.
The Oyo school abduction is regarded as one of the most significant attacks on educational institutions in southern Nigeria in recent years and has renewed concerns about insecurity in schools across the country.
