Protesters on Monday took to the streets of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, demanding the urgent rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Ogbomoso, as anger grows over worsening insecurity in the state.
The demonstration caused major traffic disruption across key routes, as marchers moved from the Mokola Roundabout towards the main gate of the University College Hospital (UCH).
The protesters, made up of members of the Take-It-Back Movement, teachers, students, and civil society activists, carried banners and placards with inscriptions including “#BringBackOurChildren”, “#47Abducted”, and “#SpeakUp”. A teenager was seen holding a placard reading: “Their lives matter, bring back our children.”
One of the organisers, Femi Adeyeye, said the protest was aimed at forcing government attention on repeated attacks and kidnappings in the state.
“These things have been happening but the government hasn’t been paying adequate attention,” Adeyeye said. “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.”
Activist Kayode Babayomi also criticised both state and federal authorities, accusing them of failing to adequately 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,” Babayomi said. “We are demanding effective security and strict monitoring of schools across the state. The situation is getting worse day by day.”
The protesters called for improved security across Oyo State, safer roads and communities, and stronger protection for farmers, traders, and students, insisting that urgent action is needed to restore public confidence.
The protest comes amid rising tension following a recent wave of kidnappings in the state.
The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) had earlier declared an indefinite strike in Oyo State, demanding the immediate rescue of abducted victims and stronger security measures in schools. In a circular dated May 29 and signed by its president, Audu Amba, and secretary-general, Clinton Ikpitibo, the union directed its chapters to hold nationwide solidarity rallies.
The Oyo State wing of the union confirmed compliance with the directive in a statement signed by its secretary, Salami Olukayode.
The 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 beheaded by the kidnappers, sparking nationwide outrage.
In separate videos 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 urgently negotiate their release.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde visited 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 directed the deployment of a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to secure the release of the abducted students and teachers.
Boluwatife Enome
