KEY POINTS

• Hundreds of protesters in Ibadan blocked major roads, demanding the immediate rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
• Demonstrators blamed worsening insecurity and called for stronger protection of schools and rural communities.
• Authorities, including the state and federal governments, say rescue operations are ongoing amid a teachers’ strike and rising public tension.

Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was thrown into tension on Monday as hundreds of protesters took to major roads to demand the immediate rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Ogbomoso and surrounding areas.

The protest in Ibadan, spearheaded by the Take-It-Back Movement alongside teachers, students, and concerned residents, brought parts of the city to a standstill as marchers moved through key routes chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Bring Back Our Children” and “Speak Up.” The protest significantly disrupted traffic, forcing motorists to divert to alternative routes.

Public outrage grows over rising insecurity and school abductions

Protesters expressed deep frustration over what they described as the worsening security situation in Oyo State, accusing authorities of failing to adequately protect schools and communities from kidnappers.

Many participants in the Ibadan protest warned that the repeated targeting of students and teachers had heightened fear across the state, with parents increasingly anxious about sending their children to school.

They called for urgent and sustained security interventions, particularly the deployment of armed personnel around vulnerable school zones and rural communities.

The protest in Ibadan comes amid heightened tension following the abduction of dozens of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

In response, the Nigerian Union of Teachers has declared an indefinite strike, further disrupting academic activities. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and federal authorities have reportedly intensified efforts to secure the release of the victims, while President Bola Tinubu has ordered the deployment of specialised security forces to support rescue operations.

Security agencies have assured residents that efforts are ongoing, even as families and communities continue to demand swift and decisive action to ensure the safe return of the abducted victims.