Osun protesters demand release of abducted Oyo pupils, teachers

Human rights organizations in Osun State, under the banner of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups, Activists, and Trade Unionists, staged a peaceful protest in Osogbo on Friday to mark June 12. The demonstrators called for urgent government action against escalating insecurity across Nigeria, asserting that governments at all levels have failed to adequately tackle the rising wave of kidnappings, banditry, and violent crimes.

Carrying banners with messages like "Government must end kidnapping in Nigeria," the protesters specifically demanded the immediate rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State. Victor Lijofi, Osun State Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, addressed journalists, stating that Nigeria's democracy is "derailing." He urged the Federal Government to act decisively on the worsening security situation, warning that "Nigeria is drifting dangerously."

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We demand immediate rescue of the school pupils abducted in Oyo State. Nigeria’s democracy is derailing, and we warn the Federal Government to act fast. Nigeria is drifting dangerously. Tinubu can’t watch as if nothing is happening.

Other groups participating in the protest included the Centre for Sustained Dialogue, Osun Coalition of Civil Societies, Democratic Socialist Movement, and the Federation of Informal Workers Organisations of Nigeria. Wole Oladapo of Nigerians for Good Governance and Saka Waheed of Dialogue 365 also called for urgent intervention, noting that insecurity is negatively impacting economic activities.

Comrade Waheed Lawal read the protest demands, which extended beyond insecurity to include concerns about worsening economic conditions. The groups demanded the immediate release of all abducted Nigerians, including those kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and others held captive nationwide. They also called for improved nationwide security and decisive action against banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, herder-farmer clashes, and police brutality.

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Government must take decisive action to end banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, abduction, herder-farmer conflicts, and police brutality.