Protesters on Monday stormed the streets of Ibadan, Oyo State, demanding the immediate rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Ogbomoso, amid growing anger over worsening insecurity in the state.
The demonstration disrupted traffic across major routes as the marchers moved from Mokola Roundabout toward the main gate of the University College Hospital (UCH), drawing attention from commuters and residents.
The protesters included members of the Take-It-Back Movement, teachers, students, and civil society activists.
They carried banners and placards with inscriptions such as “#BringBackOurChildren”, “#47Abducted”, and “#SpeakUp”. A teenager was also seen holding a placard reading: “Their lives matter, bring back our children.”
One of the organisers, Femi Adeyeye, said the protest was meant to compel government action over repeated attacks and kidnappings in the state.
“These things have been happening but the government hasn’t been paying adequate attention.
“You can’t be in your house and be killed, yet it is happening in Nigeria. We are demanding the urgent rescue of the abducted children, ” Adeyeye said.
Another activist, Kayode Babayomi, criticised both state and federal authorities, accusing them of failing in their duty to protect citizens.
“Both the Oyo and federal governments have failed to protect the citizens. That’s why we are out here to register our displeasure.
“We are demanding effective security and strict monitoring of schools across the state. The situation is getting worse day by day, ” he said.
The demonstrators called for stronger security measures across Oyo State, safer highways and communities, and improved protection for farmers, traders, and students, insisting that urgent intervention is needed to restore public confidence.
The protest comes amid rising tension following a wave of kidnappings in the state, which has already triggered industrial action in the education sector.
The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) had earlier declared an indefinite strike in Oyo State, insisting on the immediate rescue of abducted victims and stronger security in schools.
In a circular dated May 29 and signed by its president, Audu Amba, and secretary-general, Clinton Ikpitibo, the union also directed its chapters to stage nationwide solidarity rallies.
The Oyo State chapter of the union confirmed compliance in a statement signed by its secretary, Salami Olukayode.
The current crisis stems from the May 15 abduction of about 39 students and seven teachers across three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
During the attack, an assistant headmaster and a motorcyclist were killed.
Days later, one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded by the kidnappers, a development that triggered nationwide outrage and intensified calls for government action.
In separate video messages circulating on social media, Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Esiele, one of the abducted victims, said the kidnappers had threatened to kill another hostage, urging authorities to expedite negotiations for their release.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde had visited the families of the victims on Saturday, while a federal delegation led by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, also visited Ogbomoso on Sunday.
President Bola Tinubu has since directed the deployment of a specialised security unit equipped with advanced rescue capabilities to secure the release of the abducted students and teachers.
