Teachers in Oyo State Southwest Nigeria on Friday staged a protest in Ibadan over the continued abduction of teachers and students from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area, 15 days after they were kidnapped.
The protesters, drawn from different schools and education groups, marched through parts of the Ibadan metropolis demanding the unconditional release of the abductees and calling for a temporary shutdown of schools across the state until they regain freedom.
The victims were abducted from Baptist Nursery and Primary School Yawota, Community Grammar School and its secondary arm in Esiele, as well as L.A. Primary School Esiele.
Families, colleagues and friends of the abducted teachers and students said they had been left devastated by the incident, describing the wait for their return as painful and uncertain.
The protesting teachers carried placards and barricaded the entrance to the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board office in Agodi, insisting that schools should remain safe spaces for learning and development.
They said the insecurity affecting schools had created fear among teachers, students and parents across the state, adding that the government had not done enough to secure the victims’ release.
Sunday Odukoya, Executive Assistant on Security to Governor Seyi Makinde, described the incident as unfortunate and said search and rescue operations were ongoing.
He assured the protesters that the state government remained committed to securing the safe return of the abducted teachers and students and said no participant in the protest would face intimidation or victimisation under the current administration.