Teachers and civil society organisations on Friday staged a peaceful protest in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, calling on the government to intensify efforts toward the rescue of teachers and pupils abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.
The protesters expressed deep concern over the growing insecurity affecting schools, warning that the safety of teachers and students across the state should no longer be ignored.
The demonstration was organised by the Oyo State Teachers Action Group in collaboration with the Nigeria Teachers Congress (NTC).
The victims were reportedly abducted on May 15, 2026, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Ogbomoso.
Speaking during the protest, the National President of the NTC, Reverend Bunmi Thomas, said the organisation joined the demonstration to show solidarity with the abducted teachers, pupils and their families.
Thomas explained that the protest was aimed at urging the government to take stronger and more decisive action to secure the victims’ release.
According to him, although there were indications that rescue efforts were ongoing, the situation required greater urgency.
He stressed that the continued captivity of the victims, especially young children, remained troubling, noting that some of the pupils were reportedly exposed to harsh weather conditions in the bush.
Thomas said the safety of teachers and students must become a top priority, adding that teachers could not continue working under fear and uncertainty.
He also appealed to the government to deploy security personnel to public schools across the state to strengthen protection for both staff and pupils.
The union leader, however, clarified that the protest was not targeted at Governor Seyi Makinde or his administration, which he commended for its developmental strides in the state.
He said the teachers only wanted regular updates on rescue operations and stronger government commitment toward ensuring the safe return of the abducted victims.
Responding to the protesters, the Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security Matters, retired Commissioner of Police Sunday Odukoya, assured the demonstrators that the state government was actively working to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils.
Odukoya described the incident as unfortunate but maintained that the government had not relaxed in its efforts to resolve the situation.
He explained that some operational details could not be disclosed publicly in order not to compromise ongoing rescue operations.
According to him, Governor Makinde had remained fully involved since the incident occurred, adding that government officials had visited the affected communities several times as part of efforts to address the situation.
Odukoya also assured the protesters that none of the participants would face intimidation, harassment or victimisation for exercising their constitutional right to protest.
Despite the government’s assurances, the protesters insisted that more urgent action was needed, stressing that the victims were enduring traumatic conditions in captivity.
They appealed to the state government to act with greater urgency and compassion to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped teachers and pupils.
Teachers, Civil Society Groups Protest Abduction of Colleagues, Pupils in Ibadan
