The Oyo State chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) on Sunday staged a Pentecostal Day Rally in Ibadan, calling for an end to insecurity in the country and praying for the safe return of abducted teachers, students and other victims of recent attacks.
The rally, tagged Community Sensitisation, was held at Men of Issachar Vision Inc., Olororo, Ojoo, Ibadan, and was led by the Deputy Chairman 1 of the Oyo State PFN, Bishop Matthew Olubusuyi.
The religious gathering drew several ministers of God who engaged in fervent prayers against rising insecurity across Nigeria, urging divine intervention for peace, stability and protection of innocent citizens.
The religious leaders, ministers and Christians also prayed specifically for the release and safe return of schoolchildren, teachers and other individuals currently in captivity following recent abductions in parts of the state and other regions of the country.
The event featured a peaceful procession and display of placards within the church premises with various inscriptions reflecting public concern over insecurity and socio-economic challenges in the country.
Some of the placards read: “Let Nigerians Live”, “Every Life Matters”, “We Deserve Peace”, “Nigeria Must Be Safe”, “Protect the Innocent”, “Stop the Killings”, “No to Insecurity”, “End Bloodshed in Nigeria”, “Save Nigeria from Terror”, “No to Economic Hardship” and “Enough is Enough”.
Others carried messages urging authorities to intensify efforts in tackling insecurity, with calls such as “Seek Help if You Cannot Do It” and “We Deserve Peace”, and a host of others.
The clerics expressed concern over the rising wave of violence, kidnapping and economic hardship, warning that continued insecurity could further destabilise communities and hinder national development.
They called on government at all levels, security agencies and stakeholders to intensify efforts towards restoring peace, protecting lives and ensuring the safe return of all abducted persons.
