Protest Rocks Oyo As Abducted School Children, Teachers Spend Month In Captivity

Elizabeth Oluchi

Hundreds of protesters have stormed the busy Iwo Road interchange in Ibadan, Oyo State, to protest the rising insecurity in Nigeria.

The protesters, who gathered at the location on Monday, were led by the Take It Back Movement, demanding the release of the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and teachers.

They also called for an end to insecurity across the country.

The National Coordinator of the movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, who spoke with journalists during the protest said the demonstration was part of ongoing efforts by the group to push for the freedom of the victims.

According to him, the protest “is a continuation of actions the organisation has embarked upon since the abduction of children and teachers” in the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State in May.

“We will continue to protest for the release of all abducted victims until they are free. We believe that government officials are in the comfort of their rooms and offices while innocent 46 students and their teachers are languishing in the kidnappers’ den.

“We are demanding freedom for all captives in the North, South, West and East of Nigeria,” Sanyaolu said.

He also criticised political leaders for focusing on preparations for the 2027 elections while insecurity continues to threaten the lives of Nigerians.

“We will not be sitting until 2027. By that time, we won’t even know how many will be alive.

“So that is why we are at the heart of Ibadan in Oyo State, where the abduction took place.

"The state and federal governments must act, or they will continue to witness mass action,” he added.

The protest led to a heavy traffic build-up around the Iwo Road axis, one of the busiest transport corridors in the state, as motorists were forced to seek alternative routes to their destinations while some commuters were forced to trek while the protest lasted.

However, Southwestern Nigeria has long been considered one of the safest regions in a country struggling with multiple security crises.

But the kidnappings quickly became a hot-button issue, prompting protests, a statewide teachers’ strike and high-profile condemnation, including from Afrobeats stars Tiwa Savage and Davido, who wore a jacket bearing the abductees’ names at a World Cup Countdown Concert in Los Angeles.