Oyo CAN Tells Churches to Build Fences and Stop Late-Night Services Over Kidnapping Fears

The Christian Association of Nigeria in Oyo State has issued a directive to churches across the state, instructing them to fence their premises, end late-night physical gatherings, and strengthen security measures in response to what the association describes as a disturbing rise in kidnapping and abduction incidents in the state.

The directive was contained in a communique signed jointly by Oyo CAN state chairman Elisha Ogundiya and secretary Samuel Owolabi, published in Ibadan on Wednesday.

The association's instructions are specific and practical, which tells you this is not a general advisory but a response to a threat that church leaders feel is immediate and real.

On physical security: churches that are not yet fenced and gated have been told to treat that as their next priority project. The association also directed churches to position security personnel and electronic surveillance devices strategically within their premises and surrounding neighbourhoods.

On gatherings: late-night physical services and programmes are to be halted until the security situation improves. The association has asked churches to increase prayer for the rescue of kidnapping victims in place of in-person night meetings, rather than simply cancelling them.

On personnel: church leaders have been advised to properly screen guards and other key individuals who have access to church property, and to use qualified security professionals during services rather than relying on informal arrangements.

On outsiders: churches have been cautioned against allowing strangers to sleep within sanctuaries or church grounds, a practice that has in some documented cases provided cover for criminal activity.

"Due to incessant abduction and kidnapping in recent times, Oyo CAN advises churches to be more security conscious by positioning security personnel and other electronic devices strategically within their premises and neighbourhood," the communique stated.