Parents fear sending children to school due to banditry — Archbishop Onuoha

Archbishop of the Methodist Church, Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, has advised the Federal Government to be more decisive in the war against banditry, declaring that tougher measures are required to save Nigerian schools, communities, and palaces from being overrun by bandits.

Speaking in Umuahia on Monday during the 14th Vision Africa School Debate Competition, Onuoha said the country requires bold action to secure the release of abducted schoolchildren and other victims of kidnapping across the nation.

He expressed concern over the growing attacks on schools and communities, describing the trend as a direct assault on education, national unity, and social stability, which should attract the strongest response from security agencies.

Archbishop Onuoha, who said Nigerian citizens must be protected from terrorists, urged the Federal Government to confront banditry with the strategy deployed by the Nigerian Army during the tenure of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd.).

Onuoha further lamented that parents in some parts of the country are now afraid to send their children to school for fear of losing them to bandits.

The cleric also appealed to the federal government to intensify efforts towards the rescue of all kidnap victims still in captivity, insisting that every available lawful strategy should be deployed to secure their freedom and restore confidence in public safety.

In her speech at the event, the wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, reaffirmed the determination of the Abia State Government to protect the lives and educational future of Abia children.