Vice President Kashim Shettima is trending across Nigerian social media after urging citizens to pray in response to renewed cases of school kidnappings. Speaking during a special Jumu’ah prayer session, Shettima referenced recent abductions of pupils and teachers in Oyo and Borno States, saying faith and unity are vital in difficult times.
His comments have divided opinion online. Some Nigerians welcomed the appeal, with one user writing: “In times like this, we need God’s intervention. Prayers can unite us.” Others criticized the focus on spirituality over security. Another post read: “We need action, not just prayers anymore. Our children deserve protection, not platitudes.”
The kidnappings in Oyo State have particularly rattled communities. In Oriire Local Government Area, armed men stormed a school compound, abducting several pupils and teachers. Families say the attackers arrived on motorcycles late at night, forcing victims into the forest. The incident echoes Nigeria’s long history of school abductions, from the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls case to mass kidnappings in Kaduna and Niger States. Parents in Oriire told local reporters they are “living in fear every day” and that “sending children to school now feels like gambling with their lives.”
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State responded with new restrictions on commercial motorcycle operations, banning nighttime riding between 10:30 p.m. and 5:30 a.m. Officials argue the measure will help track suspects and improve security. Reactions online were mixed. One resident posted: “This is a necessary step. Okadas are often used by criminals.” Another countered: “This will hurt workers who depend on late-night transport. Security should not come at the expense of livelihood.”
On the football pitch, Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala captured national attention after scoring against Senegal. Instead of a routine celebration, she lifted a shirt reading “Save the Teachers” and “Bring Back Our Children.” The gesture went viral, with widespread praise. A supporter tweeted: “Oshoala is using her platform to speak for the voiceless. This is what leadership looks like.”
Civil society groups have urged government to balance faith with concrete action. The Centre for Democracy and Development said: “Prayers are important, but security reforms are urgent. Communities cannot live in fear.” Policy makers defended recent measures, with a senior trade official noting: “We are protecting our people and our sovereignty. Every step we take is aimed at restoring confidence.”
Social commentators added nuance. Economist Bismarck Rewane observed: “Nigeria’s leaders must combine spiritual appeals with practical solutions. Citizens want reassurance, but they also want results.” Columnist Japheth Omojuwa tweeted: “Symbolic gestures like Oshoala’s shirt matter. They remind us that the human cost of insecurity is too high to ignore.”
Parents and teachers have also spoken out. A teacher in Oyo said: “We are scared to go to class. Every noise outside feels like danger.” A parent added: “We cannot keep losing our children. Government must act decisively, not just pray.”
Nigeria’s social media space reflects a nation torn between faith, frustration, and calls for accountability. While prayers may offer comfort, the demand for stronger security measures continues to grow louder, with citizens insisting that the government must match words with action.
