Protesters have taken to the streets of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, demanding the rescue of the abducted Ogbomoso schoolchildren and teachers.
The demonstration disrupted traffic along key routes in the city.
The protesters began their march at the Mokola Roundabout before moving towards the main gate of the University College Hospital (UCH).
Made up of members of the Take-It-Back Movement, teachers, and schoolchildren, the demonstrators carried banners and placards with inscriptions such as ‘#BringBackOurChildren’, ‘#47Abducted’, and ‘#SpeakUp’.
A teenager was seen holding aloft a banner with the message: “Their lives matter, bring back our children.”
Femi Adeyeye, one of the protesters, said the action was meant to draw the government’s attention to the worsening insecurity in the state.
“These things have been happening, but the government hasn’t been paying adequate attention,” he 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.”
Kayode Babayomi, an activist, also faulted state and federal authorities for what he described as poor handling of the situation.
“Both the Oyo and federal governments have failed to protect the citizens. That’s why we are out here to register our displeasure,” he said.
“We are demanding effective security and strict monitoring of schools across the state. The situation is getting worse day by day.”
The protesters demanded safer roads and communities, protection for farmers, traders, and students, as well as justice and improved security across the state.
The protest comes amid escalating tension following a recent wave of kidnappings in the state.
On Sunday, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) declared an indefinite strike in the state, demanding the urgent rescue of the abducted victims and improved security measures.
In a circular dated May 29 and signed by Audu Amba, NUT president, and Clinton Ikpitibo, secretary-general, the union directed all state chapters to hold solidarity rallies nationwide on Tuesday.
In a statement signed on Sunday by Salami Olukayode, secretary of the Oyo State wing of the union, the NUT confirmed full compliance with the directive.
The crisis follows the May 15 abduction of about 39 students and seven teachers across three schools in Oriire LGA.
During the attack, an assistant headmaster and a motorcyclist were killed.
Days later, Michael Oyedokun, one of the abducted teachers, was beheaded by the kidnappers, triggering nationwide outrage.
In separate videos posted on Instagram, Rachael Alamu, principal of Community High School, Esiele, and one of the abductees, said the kidnappers had threatened to kill another victim and urged authorities to negotiate their release urgently.
Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, visited the families of the victims on Saturday, while a federal delegation led by Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president, and Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser, visited Ogbomoso on Sunday.
President Bola Tinubu has also directed the deployment of a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to secure the victims’ release.
