Ogun Residents Protest Oyo School Abduction, Demand Action from Government

On Monday, a group of youths and mothers in Ogun state took to the streets to express their outrage and concern over the recent abduction of 39 school children and seven teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. The protesters, who gathered at the Panseke skating ground in Abeokuta, carried placards with various inscriptions, including 'The crime they committed is they went to school, release our children and teachers' and 'Stop brutality, kidnapping, banditry.' They lamented the state of insecurity in the country and demanded that the government take immediate action to ensure the release of the abducted children and guarantee the security of communities.

The abduction, which occurred on May 16, 2026, involved armed men raiding three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area, near Ogbomoso. One of the teachers abducted, Mr. Micheal Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher at Community Grammar School, was beheaded by the terrorists. The protesters, who included nursing mothers and entrepreneurs, shared their personal experiences and fears, with many expressing anxiety and panic over the safety of their children.

Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators, Pastor Juwon Owolabi emphasized that the country is at a tipping point, where no one, regardless of their social status, is safe. He urged the government to deploy all necessary instruments to end the insecurity and ensure the release of the abducted children. Another protester, Ada Comfort, an entrepreneur, disclosed that she has been having nightmares over the welfare of the children and that insecurity has affected her business.

The protesters demanded that all schools be closed until the security challenges are addressed and the kidnapped children are released. They also called on the government to take strict actions against terrorists and kidnappers, emphasizing that they can never change. The demonstration was peaceful, with a strong police presence to ensure that the protest was not hijacked by hoodlums.

The protesters' demands and concerns reflect the growing anxiety and frustration among Nigerians over the state of insecurity in the country. The government's response to the abduction and the protesters' demands will be crucial in determining the next steps in addressing the security challenges facing the country.