Oyo abductions: Protesters in Abeokuta, Ibadan demand urgent rescue of pupils, teachers

With News Agency report

Some residents of Ibadan and Abeokuta the capitals of Oyo and Ogun States respectively took to the streets on Monday to demand immediate release of school children and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Members of the Take-It-Back Movement, National Association of Nigerian Students and Civil Society Organisations led protests in different areas of the city to demand immediate rescue of the students and an end to the worsening security situation in the country.

Members of the Take-It-Back Movement who were armed with different placards converged at the popular Mokola roundabout and demanded immediate release of the schoolchildren and their teachers. They were joined by some residents of the city.

Some of the placards read, “Security for all, not for a few,” “Government must end kidnapping in Oyo State,” “We demand safer roads and communities,” traders and students,” and “Peace, security and justice.”

They lamented that Nigerians living is becoming increasingly difficult for Nigerians as a result of security challenges confronting the country.

The Take-It-Back Movement later defied rainfall to take their protest to the Oyo State Government House in Agodi area of Ibadan

Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with various inscriptions, the protesters vowed not to be deterred by the downpour, describing their action as a civic duty to draw attention to the plight of affected families.

On their part, members of NANS and some leaders of CSOs marched in their hundreds across Bodija, Mokola, Iwo Road, Gate/Bus Stop, and the state Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan to protest the May 15 abduction of 42 pupils and teachers from public schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions calling for the immediate release of all the victims from captivity.

Speaking to newsmen, one of the student leaders, Mr Moses Olawole, decried the government’s negligence and delayed actions to seek the abductees’ release.

Olawole said that with decisive action from the government, the situation wouldn’t have lasted this long, going to about three weeks.

He said the protest would be sustained, with all NANS members marching daily until the pupils and teachers were released.

He said that students would march to Aso Rock, Abuja, for a national protest by June 8 if the government failed to free the abductees.

Security personnel were fully represented to maintain law and order as the protest continued.

Meanwhile, Mr Sunday Odukoya, the Executive Assistant on Security Matters to Gov. Seyi Makinde, who monitored the protest, declined to comment on the development.

In Abeokuta, protesters, comprising youths, mothers, traders and others gathered at the Panseke skating ground armed with placards with inscriptions such as “Bring back our kidnapped children”, “Help us stop kidnapping”, among others.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Pastor Juwon Owolabi said that the situation had left many residents living in fear and uncertainty.

Owolabi stressed that businesses and daily activities cannot flourish in an insecure environment, urging the government to deploy all necessary resources to secure the victims’ release and safeguard communities.

The cleric called on Nigerians to unite and peacefully demand decisive action against insecurity.

Also speaking, Mrs Ada Comfort, an entrepreneur, said the worsening security situation had disrupted her business activities.

She said the fear of travelling had prevented her from fulfilling customers’ orders and conducting normal business operations.

Comfort expressed sympathy for the abducted children and their families, describing their ordeal as heartbreaking.

A nursing mother, Mrs Precious Jonathan, said she joined the protest because she desired a safer future for her children.

Jonathan said she frequently thought about the abducted children and their wellbeing, especially during harsh weather conditions, and appealed to the government to prioritise the safety and welfare of citizens.

Mr Ayodeji Ojo, a businessman, urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims, while demanding a temporary closure of schools in vulnerable areas until security improves.

He urged government authorities to adopt stronger measures against kidnappers and other criminal groups.

Security personnel, including officers of the police and NSCDC, were strategically deployed across the state to maintain security.