A video of Jerry Eze, founder of Streams of Joy International, has surfaced online showing the cleric breaking down emotionally over the reported abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Oyo State.
The incident, which reportedly occurred in Oriire Local Government Area, involved the kidnapping of several pupils, including toddlers as young as two years old, along with teachers. The development has sparked widespread concern across the country.
In the viral video recorded during a church service on Sunday, May 31, 2026, the cleric expressed deep distress over the tragedy, saying it had affected him personally and almost led him to cancel the church’s Children’s Day celebration.
Jerry Eze, who also leads the popular online prayer platform New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations (NSPPD), said he could not ignore the emotional weight of the incident, especially as it involved very young children.
“The people closest to me know I was on the brink of cancelling the Children’s Day celebration; I was on the brink of saying why does it have to hold,” he said.
“There is probably a mother somewhere who is on NSPPD and is saying to God, please let my children be released. I have two children; I don’t know how I will feel. The children are somewhere in the forest, where we don’t know, without shelter,” he added.
He further expressed concern about the psychological trauma the abducted children may suffer, praying for their safe return and calling for divine intervention.
“I am more worried about the trauma that will hit the children when they come out. I am praying that God will help them. It is so painful,” he said.
The cleric also prayed for the release of the victims and urged authorities to act swiftly to secure their rescue.
However, his reaction has generated mixed responses on social media, with some users criticising religious leaders for focusing on prayers instead of directly calling out government authorities.
Some commentators urged more civic engagement, while others defended the cleric’s emotional response and call for prayer amid the tragedy.
The abduction in Oyo State continues to draw national attention, with growing calls for improved security in schools and rural communities across the country.