- Teachers protested in Ibadan over the abduction of students and colleagues in Oriire
- Protesters demanded urgent government action to rescue the kidnapped victims safely
- Residents and parents expressed fear over worsening insecurity affecting rural schools
Teachers under the aegis of the National Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State on Thursday staged a peaceful protest in Ibadan, demanding the immediate rescue of teachers and students abducted by suspected terrorists in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The protest followed the abduction of more than 40 pupils, students and teachers during an attack on schools in Esiele community, Oriire Local Government Area, on May 15. The incident, which has sparked widespread fear and outrage across the state, remains unresolved nearly three weeks after the victims were taken into captivity.
The abductors, described by many residents as daredevil terrorists, have reportedly continued to release disturbing videos showing the victims being subjected to harsh treatment and punishment in the forest. The footage circulating online has heightened public anxiety and intensified calls for urgent government intervention.
In response to the growing insecurity, primary and secondary school teachers from different parts of Oyo State converged on Iwo Road in Ibadan, the state capital, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs as they marched through major streets.
Some of the placards bore inscriptions such as “Bring Back Our Children”, “No More Bandits in Our Schools”, and “Protect Teachers and Students”. The protesters also called on security agencies and the state government to take decisive steps towards securing the release of the kidnapped victims and preventing further attacks on educational institutions.
Speaking during the protest, some union members expressed frustration over what they described as the worsening security situation in rural communities. They lamented that teachers and schoolchildren were increasingly becoming soft targets for criminal groups operating in remote parts of the country.
The protesters insisted that the safety of teachers and students must be prioritised, warning that continued insecurity could cripple educational activities in affected communities. According to them, many teachers now live in fear, especially those posted to rural areas where security presence is limited.
Parents and residents who joined the demonstration also appealed to the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government and security operatives to intensify rescue efforts and ensure the safe return of all those abducted.
As of the time of filing this report, authorities had yet to confirm any breakthrough in the rescue operation, while families of the victims continue to await positive news concerning their loved ones.