Civil society organisations on Monday staged a protest in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, over the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in the state, calling for urgent government intervention to secure their release.
The demonstration followed an earlier protest by teachers in Ogbomoso, where the kidnapping occurred, as concerns continue to mount over the safety and whereabouts of the victims.
The protesters marched through major parts of Ibadan carrying placards bearing inscriptions such as, “Every Life Matters, Stop the Kidnappers,” “47 Abducted, Scared and Alone,” and “Stand Up! Speak Out!”
Participants in the protest expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity affecting schools and communities, urging security agencies and relevant authorities to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers.
They called on the Oyo State Government and the Federal Government to take decisive action to address the rising cases of kidnapping and ensure the protection of lives and property.
The abduction, which occurred in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has sparked widespread outrage among residents, education stakeholders and civil society groups.
Many of the protesters described the incident as a threat to the right of children to safe and uninterrupted education, stressing that schools should remain secure environments for learning.
The demonstrators vowed to continue advocating for the safe return of the victims while calling for stronger security measures to prevent similar incidents across the state.
Leave a Reply