Residents of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, staged a protest on Monday demanding urgent action to rescue schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.

Hundreds of demonstrators, including members of the Take-It-Back Movement, teachers, students and concerned parents, marched through major roads in the town. They carried placards with inscriptions like “#BringBackOurChildren”, “#47Abducted” and “#SpeakUp” to draw government attention to the worsening security situation.

The protest follows the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire LGA where gunmen abducted about 39 pupils and 7 teachers, and killed one teacher during the raid. Another abducted teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed in captivity and his body was found.

Protesters accused both Oyo State and federal authorities of failing to protect citizens. “Both the Oyo and federal governments have failed to protect the citizens. That’s why we are out here to register our displeasure,” activist Kayode Babayomi said. They are demanding effective security and strict monitoring of schools across the state.

Youths in Ogbomoso have also threatened to block all access roads into the city if the abducted children and teachers are not released safely before the weekend. “Before this week ends, if the children and teachers aren’t home safely. No car will be allowed to enter Ogbomoso,” one youth leader warned.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde confirmed the abductions and said six suspects had been arrested within the community, with three other persons of interest picked up. He attributed the attack to armed groups displaced from the North-West moving southward.

Sources: Primetimes, Pulse.ng, Gazettengr.