Protesters have hit the streets of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, demanding rescue of the abducted Ogbomoso schoolchildren and teachers.
The demonstration has disrupted traffic around 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 can be seen holding aloft a banner with the
message: “Their lives matter, bring back our children.”
Femi Adeyeye, one of the protesters, said the action is
meant to draw government 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 urgent rescue of 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 on Sunday signed by Salami Olukayode,
secretary of the Oyo state wing of the union, 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, who is one of the abductees, said
the kidnappers had threatened to kill another victim, urging authorities to
urgently negotiate their release.
Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, visited families of the
victims on Saturday, with a federal delegation led by Femi Gbajabiamila, chief
of staff to the president; and Nuhu Ribadu, national security adviser; visiting
Ogbomoso on Sunday.
President Bola Tinubu has also directed deployment of a
specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to secure release
of the victims.
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