The following are the views expressed by Olufemi Oguntokun in the May 18, 2026’s episode of the On the Lord’s Side Podcast – Christian perspectives on news and current events.
For many people in Nigeria, these are horrible times. These are anxious times. These are times of sober reflection. And for many families, these are times of anxious prayers.
Indeed, as we have now heard, terrorists and bandits have struck schools in Ogbomosho, in Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria.
ON THE TERROR ATTACKS IN OGBOMOSHO
For many years, when we spoke about terrorism in Nigeria, our minds naturally turned to the Northeast, the North Central, and other troubled parts of Northern Nigeria. We lamented repeatedly that these terrorists were becoming increasingly bold and confident, and we warned that the day could come when they would carry out such attacks in the Southwest as well.
Sadly, that day is no longer hypothetical.
We all remember the horrific Pentecost Sunday attack in Owo, Ondo State, on June 5, 2022, when gunmen invaded a Catholic church and murdered worshippers during service. At least fifty people, including children, lost their lives. That tragedy should already have awakened the nation to the reality that terrorism was no longer confined to one region of the country.
Now, on Friday, May 15, 2026, coordinated attacks were carried out on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area near Ogbomosho. Armed gunmen riding motorcycles invaded the communities during school hours, opened fire, abducted pupils and teachers, and left death and anguish in their wake.
The same modus operandi we have seen for years in Plateau State, Kaduna State, and many parts of Northern Nigeria is now being replicated in the Southwest — armed men on motorcycles storming communities, killing, abducting, and terrorizing innocent people.
These men did not ride motorcycles all the way from Northern Nigeria into Ogbomosho. They must have infiltrated the area long ago. They must have sleeper cells in the forests and surrounding communities. This reality should alarm every Nigerian.
Two people were reportedly killed during the initial attack: Assistant Headmaster Joel Adesina and a commercial motorcyclist who attempted to resist the attackers. One of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded in captivity. Videos circulating online reportedly show the abducted victims, including school staff and a nursing mother, pleading for help. Approximately forty-six people, including teachers and pupils, were abducted.
From a human perspective, we should all be deeply saddened by this.
There are husbands whose wives are now in captivity. There are children whose parents are missing. There are parents whose children have been abducted. There are families grieving the gruesome death of loved ones.
And there is something especially heartbreaking about a loved one not only dying violently, but that violence being broadcast publicly for the world to see.
We are all members of the human family. Each man’s burden is ours to bear. We must pray for those directly affected by this tragedy — spouses, parents, children, relatives, and friends — that the Lord will comfort them, strengthen them, and uphold their faith in these trying times.
And yes, many Christians are asking, “Lord, how long?”
But that cry itself is biblical. The saints of old cried the same cry repeatedly in the Scriptures. We must not stop praying. We must continue calling upon God for intervention.
Let us pray that these abducted children and teachers will be released in the name of Jesus.
Let us pray that the carnage of banditry and terrorism in Nigeria will come to an end in the name of Jesus.
And let us pray that the Lord will frustrate the ambitions of those who seek to Islamize this country. There was a time many dismissed such fears as conspiracy theories. But increasingly, Nigerians are watching disturbing realities unfold before their very eyes.
At the same time, we must condemn in the strongest possible terms the lackadaisical attitude of government and security leadership.
Yes, many rank-and-file soldiers are making tremendous sacrifices. Some have paid the ultimate price. We salute their courage and gallantry.
But for those making the decisions at the highest levels, the excuses no longer suffice.
How can a nation with Nigeria’s resources be unable to secure its own territory for nearly two decades against insurgents and terrorists?
The only plausible explanation is complicity at the highest levels.
Nigeria is not officially in a civil war. These are terrorists and outlaws. Yet the nation has failed to decisively crush this insurgency for close to twenty years. The conclusion many Nigerians are now drawing is that there is complicity somewhere within government and military leadership.
This situation cannot continue.
The political class must stop acting as though the 2027 elections are the most urgent matter facing the country. Elections are important, yes. But right now, the preservation of human life and national security ought to dominate public discourse.
Politicians should be speaking with urgency about the ongoing carnage, not merely positioning themselves for future offices.
ON CORRUPTION AND NATIONAL INSECURITY
Over the weekend, reports emerged of another military officer killed in a terrorist ambush, only weeks before his wedding.
Stories like this remind us that many military personnel are paying with their lives while the nation continues to drift.
And at the root of much of this crisis is corruption.
Corruption weakens border security. Corruption allows illegal arms into the country. Corruption permits criminal elements to operate freely. Corruption deprives soldiers of proper equipment and ammunition.
Because of corruption, Nigeria now faces multiple terrorist groups operating simultaneously within its borders.
And then we heard reports that the second most active terrorist in the world was recently killed through operations involving U.S. security forces and Nigerian partners.
Think about that carefully.
How can one of the world’s most active terrorists either be operating in Nigeria or connected to Nigeria?
That alone should awaken us to the terrifying scale of the crisis confronting this nation.
ON PRESIDENTIAL RESPONSES AND NATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
President Bola Tinubu has condemned the barbaric killing of the abducted teacher from Ogbomosho.
Yes, it was barbaric.
But Nigerians are tired of adjectives. Nigerians are tired of platitudes.
We do not simply want leaders to tell us these things are terrible. We already know they are terrible.
We want action.
We want results.
We want citizens protected.
There is very little public confidence left that perpetrators will truly be brought to justice because previous cases have largely gone unresolved.
The president may argue that this crisis predates his administration. That is true. But he has long been part of Nigeria’s political establishment, and more importantly, he is the president now.
Responsibility rests with him.
And so Nigerians are left asking: where next?
Where next will terrorists strike?
That question itself should terrify the nation.
As Christians, our first and most important point of engagement must remain the place of prayer. We must ask God to intervene decisively in Nigeria’s affairs, to expose evil men, to frustrate their plans, and to deliver those in captivity.
We must pray that God will raise courageous and uncompromised leaders for this nation — leaders willing to sacrifice for justice, peace, and truth.
ON THE “SPICY CONTENT” CONTROVERSY AT THE LOGIC CHURCH
Another major story generating discussion concerns a young woman known online for posting sexually explicit content who was publicly recognized at The Logic Church in Lagos as the best-performing student in the church’s Bible Foundation program.
Let me state clearly: structured Bible teaching and discipleship programs in churches are commendable things. If someone studies diligently and performs excellently in such a program, recognizing academic excellence is not inherently wrong.
But wisdom matters.
And language matters.
The pastor referred to the woman’s content as “spicy content.” But euphemisms often conceal uncomfortable truths. The reality is that much of the material she posts online is sexually explicit and pornographic in nature.
Following the church recognition, the woman released a video essentially declaring that she had no intention whatsoever of changing her content. She openly mocked those urging her to stop, saying they could call the National Guard, the police, or whoever they wished — she was not going to stop.
That response exposes the deeper issue here.
This is not fundamentally about condemning a sinner. Christ receives sinners.
The issue is whether the church is exercising discernment and wisdom in the platforms it gives to people whose lifestyles remain openly contrary to biblical teaching.
The inevitable consequence of such publicity is that more people become curious about her content. More people search for her pages. More people are exposed to sexually explicit material.
Indeed, one Christian man publicly admitted online that he opened a TikTok account specifically because he wanted to see her videos after hearing the controversy.
That is precisely the concern.
Not all things are profitable.
Church leaders must think carefully about the broader spiritual ramifications of their actions.
This young woman now stands to become even more influential — not for the gospel, but for the very content that contradicts Christian holiness.
And sadly, many Christians are now openly celebrating this contradiction. Some are even saying they are proud of her while simultaneously enjoying the explicit content she produces.
That is not transformation.
When people truly come to Christ, there is change.
Zacchaeus changed.
The woman caught in adultery was told to “go and sin no more.”
Scripture teaches that if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things pass away.
Yes, Christ accepts sinners. But He does not leave them unchanged.
The church’s role is not merely to celebrate attendance or participation. The church must also call people toward repentance, holiness, and transformation.
This woman likely now needs serious counseling, support, discipleship, and prayer because abandoning such a platform may come at significant financial cost to her. If she monetizes her content — or eventually begins to — leaving it behind will require sacrifice.
And that is where true discipleship becomes real.
Jesus said that anyone who would follow Him must deny himself.
The church should not be providing additional publicity for spiritually destructive content.
Rather, the prayer should be that one day this same woman will testify that the Holy Spirit transformed her life so deeply that she willingly abandoned the very platform that once defined her public identity.
ON THE BODY FOUND IN THE LAGOS LAGOON
Another distressing report concerns the discovery of the body of a man floating in the Lagos Lagoon with visible gunshot wounds.
Apparently, whoever killed him believed they could simply dump his body in the water and escape accountability forever.
And perhaps, in this world, they may indeed evade justice.
Nigeria’s investigative systems are often weak and underdeveloped. Many crimes remain unsolved.
But there is One who sees all things.
God knows who killed that man.
God knows where it happened, why it happened, and who participated in it.
And even if earthly justice fails, divine justice will not fail.
Jesus reminded us that what is done in secret will one day be proclaimed openly. Hidden things will be exposed.
That truth should sober every human being.
May God continue to protect His people from the dangers and evils of this fallen world. And may He swiftly bring all perpetrators of wickedness to judgment.
Thank you for listening to On the Lord’s Side — Christian perspectives on news and current events on GospelBellsRadio.com. Whatever you do today, remain firmly on the Lord’s side.
