Hundreds of teachers, civil society activists, and concerned residents staged a peaceful protest in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, demanding immediate government intervention to secure the release of abducted teachers and schoolchildren kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The demonstrators marched through major streets carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Bring Back Our Children,” “Bring Back Our Teachers,” and “No More Bandits,” while calling on both the federal and Oyo State governments to intensify efforts to rescue the victims.
The protest followed the abduction of teachers and pupils from communities in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026. The incident has sparked widespread concern among residents, education stakeholders, and human rights groups, who fear for the safety and wellbeing of the victims.
Addressing the protesters, leaders of the participating groups said the demonstration was aimed at drawing attention to the plight of the kidnapped teachers and schoolchildren. They stressed that the safety of students and education workers should be treated as a national priority, warning that continued attacks on schools could discourage teaching and learning activities.
The protesters also urged the government to strengthen security around schools across Oyo State to prevent future incidents. According to them, teachers should not be forced to work under constant fear of attacks and kidnappings. They called for increased deployment of security personnel to vulnerable communities and educational institutions.
Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, labour and education stakeholders expressed concern over reports that some of the victims, including young children, had spent several weeks in captivity. They appealed to security agencies to accelerate rescue operations and ensure the safe return of all those abducted.
Responding to the protest, officials of the Oyo State Government assured residents that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of the victims. Government representatives stated that security agencies were actively working on the situation and urged the public to remain calm while rescue operations continued.
The government further assured protesters that no participant in the peaceful demonstration would face intimidation or victimisation, reaffirming its commitment to protecting citizens’ constitutional rights.
Despite the assurances, the protesters maintained that more urgent action is required to address the growing threat of kidnappings and insecurity affecting schools and communities. They called on authorities at all levels to take decisive measures to protect students, teachers, and residents from criminal attacks.
The demonstration highlights increasing concerns about security in educational institutions and the need for stronger measures to safeguard children and education workers across the country.
