By Ado Oyeyemi
The Christian Association of Nigeria, Borno State chapter, has declared a three-day fasting and prayer programme for the safe release of 78 schoolchildren abducted by Boko Haram terrorists in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of the state.
The Christian body said the spiritual exercise would also focus on securing the freedom of other victims abducted in Ngoshe, Gwoza Local Government Area, as well as those kidnapped along the Biu-Buratai Road while travelling to Maiduguri in April 2026.
The programme, tagged, “A Call for Three Days Fasting and Prayers for the Safe Return of Our Kidnapped Brethren,” will commence on Friday, August 14, and end on Sunday, August 16, 2026.
The directive was contained in a statement signed by the Borno CAN Secretary, Senior Apostle Joshua Akeredolu Michael.
CAN expressed concern that the 78 schoolchildren had remained in captivity for more than two months and called on Christians across the state to unite in prayer for their safe return.
The association said its leadership, under Most Rev. Dr John Bogna Bakeni, had also included other kidnapped Christians and victims from Mussa and Lassa in Askira-Uba, Ngoshe, the Biu-Buratai Road and other affected areas in the prayer campaign.
According to the statement, the exercise is intended to seek divine intervention for the release of the victims who remain in captivity.
Akeredolu urged church leaders to mobilise their congregations for the programme, directing individual churches to conduct the prayers within their respective assemblies and conclude the exercise during Sunday services.
The Borno CAN also appealed to the Federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to intensify efforts to secure the release of all persons still being held by kidnappers and insurgents in the state.
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The association expressed optimism that the three-day spiritual exercise would culminate in the safe return of the abducted schoolchildren and other victims still in captivity.
