Demonstrations erupt in Oyo and Ogun as kidnappings of educators and pupils spark outrage

Academic activities came to a halt in public schools across Oyo State as teachers embarked on a peaceful protest, following a directive from the National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, to demand the release of 47 teachers and students kidnapped from public and private schools in Ahoro Esiele Community, Oriire council area.

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The protest, which was organised to express solidarity with the abducted teachers and students, resulted in the closure of public schools across the 11 local government areas of Ibadanland, with only Senior Secondary School 3 students sitting for their terminal examinations allowed access to school premises.

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A teacher, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the protest as an expression of solidarity with the abducted teachers and students, who have been in captivity for over 18 days, and appealed to the federal and Oyo State governments to intensify efforts to secure their safe and unconditional release.

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The protest also drew support from civil society organisations and concerned residents, who called for stronger security measures to protect schools and prevent further attacks on educational institutions, with many students who arrived at schools in areas such as Molete, Orita Challenge, New Garage, and Odo Ona being turned back and asked to return home.

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In a related development, residents of Ogun State staged a peaceful protest against worsening insecurity across the country and the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, gathering at the Panseke Skating ground in Abeokuta with placards bearing inscriptions such as "The crime they committed is they went to school" and "Release our children and teachers).

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Pastor Juwon Owolabi, addressing the protesters, stated that Nigerians are living in fear amid escalating cases of kidnapping, terrorism, and violent crimes, and that the country has reached a critical point where no citizen can confidently feel safe, urging the government to deploy all necessary resources to secure the immediate release of the abducted children and teachers.

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An entrepreneur, Mrs Ada Comfort, said the deteriorating security situation has disrupted both family life and economic activities, and that she had been deeply affected by the incident, despite none of her children being among the abductees, and that the government should guarantee the safety of lives and property.

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A nursing mother, Mrs Precious Jonathan, who attended the protest with her child, said she joined the demonstration to demand a safer future for Nigerian children, stating that she deserved a better Nigeria and that the government should provide a safer country for all citizens.

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Mr Ayodeji Ojo, a businessman, urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and tackle the broader insecurity challenge, saying that the children are innocent and that more than promises and negotiations are needed to address the crisis.

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The protesters demanded the immediate release of the abducted pupils and teachers and urged government authorities to adopt stronger measures against kidnappers and terrorists, calling for enhanced security around schools and vulnerable communities, and stressing that educational institutions must not become targets for criminal groups.

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The Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, announced that it will embark on a nationwide solidarity protest to draw attention to the kidnapping of teachers and students in Oyo State, with the National President of the union, Mr Audu Titus Amba, expressing disgust that the abducted teachers and students were being used as shields by terrorists trying to frustrate rescue efforts.

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Amba also expressed fears about the new trend of using abducted pupils and students as cannon fodder, saying that innocent children must not be used as shields, and that the government should put more measures in place for schools to be safe, appealing to community leaders to rise to the occasion of securing schools.

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The Muslim Congress, TMC, called for the immediate rescue of students and teachers abducted in Oyo State, urging the Federal Government and security agencies to take decisive action to stem Nigeria's worsening insecurity, warning that the country's escalating wave of kidnappings and violent attacks has reached a dangerous tipping point.

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The TMC described the recent attack in Oyo State as a stark reminder of the deepening security crisis confronting schools and communities across the country, lamenting that insecurity has become an entrenched national challenge, with millions of Nigerians living under the shadow of fear, uncertainty, and recurring violence.

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Residents of Borno State expressed concern over the federal government's silence on the abduction of 42 primary and junior secondary school students in Mussa community, Askira Uba Local Government Area, noting that the government had prioritised a similar incident in Oyo State while downplaying the abduction in the state.

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Abubakar Suleiman, Chairman of the Network of Civil Society Organisations in the state, said the federal government was not fair to the victims of both incidents, stating that the government visited Oyo State with a high-powered delegation while ignoring the abduction in Borno State, calling on the government to intensify search and rescue operations for all victims in captivity.

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A political analyst in the state, Abubakar Kareto, faulted the federal government's response to the two attacks, saying that both abductions are heartbreaking reminders that rural schools remain highly vulnerable soft targets, exposing how unsafe it is to send kids to school in Nigeria.

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President of Borno South Youths Alliance Forum, Samaila Kaigama, urged political leaders in the state to emulate their counterparts in the South-West, particularly in handling issues affecting the populace, saying that while other leaders are making visible efforts to rescue and protect their people, the Borno State government appears more interested in silencing discussion of the challenges facing Southern Borno.

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Kaigama questioned the state government's effort in addressing the challenges, saying that over 40 students were kidnapped, and the only visible effort from those in charge was the presentation of N10 million to traditional rulers in Askira Uba, and that the state government was proactive in deploying military force against protesters in the state.