Residents of Ogun State on Monday staged a peaceful protest over worsening insecurity across the country and the continued captivity of 39 pupils and seven teachers abducted from schools in Oyo State.
The demonstrators, made up of youths, parents, nursing mothers and community members, gathered in Abeokuta carrying placards with messages demanding urgent action from the government.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read: “The crime they committed is they went to school, release our children and teachers,” “Stop brutality, kidnapping, banditry,” “Stop insecurity, Nigeria is falling apart,” “Bring back our school children,” and “End terrorism in Nigeria.”
The protest follows the May 16 attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where armed men abducted dozens of pupils and teachers.
The affected schools included Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esinele, as well as Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota.
The incident also claimed the life of a teacher, Michael Oyedokun, who was later killed by his captors.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters at Panseke Skating Ground in Abeokuta, Pastor Juwon Owolabi lamented the growing fear among Nigerians, saying many residents now live with anxiety due to insecurity.
“This is a time where the parents and everyone is grieving. We cannot continue like this. We sleep with anxiety and panic, and we trust that the government has the capacity and what it takes to end this insecurity now,” he said.
Owolabi warned that insecurity had reached a dangerous level where no category of citizen could consider themselves safe.
“We are at a tipping point. It doesn’t matter whether you are rich or poor, nobody is safe. The government must know we are united and demanding action,” he added.
An entrepreneur, Ada Comfort, also shared her concerns, explaining that insecurity has negatively affected her business and personal wellbeing.
“For someone like me, I travel regularly for business. For the past week, I cannot travel. I have orders coming in but I can’t work because of fear,” she said.
She added that although her children were not among the abducted victims, she has struggled emotionally since the incident.
“I daydream about those children and cannot imagine what their mothers are going through. The least the government can do is provide security for its citizens,” she stated.
Another protester, Precious Jonathan, who attended the demonstration with her child, said she joined the protest because she wants a safer future for Nigerian children.
“My baby is one year old. I am here because of my child and my unborn children. I want a better Nigeria for all of us,” she said emotionally.
Businessman Ayodeji Ojo urged security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and take stronger measures against kidnappers and terrorists.
“We need action and not just negotiation. If we keep folding our hands, any family could become the next victim,” he said.
The protesters also called for the temporary closure of schools in vulnerable areas until adequate security measures are put in place and all abducted children are rescued.
Security operatives were deployed to the protest venue to maintain order and ensure the demonstration remained peaceful.
One security official at the scene stated that officers were present to prevent the protest from being hijacked by hoodlums and to ensure the safety of participants.
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