Civil society groups on Monday took to the streets of Ibadan, Oyo State, to protest the abduction of pupils and teachers, demanding urgent action to secure their release.
The demonstrators marched through major parts of the Oyo State capital carrying placards with messages calling for an end to kidnappings and the safe return of the victims.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read: “Every Life Matters, Stop the Kidnappers,” “47 Abducted, Scared and Alone,” and “Stand Up! Speak Out!”
The protest highlights growing concerns over insecurity and the continued captivity of the abducted pupils and teachers.
The latest demonstration comes days after teachers in Ogbomoso staged a protest over the kidnapping, demanding swift intervention from the government and security agencies.
The protesters urged authorities to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and tackle the rising threat of kidnapping in the state.
The abduction has sparked widespread outrage, with residents, teachers and civil society organisations calling for immediate action to ensure the safe return of those still in captivity.
Earlier, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) directed all public primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services from schools beginning Monday, June 1, 2026, until further notice.
According to the directive, issued by the national leadership of the union, the strike is in protest against the continued captivity of abducted teachers and pupils, whose rescue and safe release, according to the Union, “remain uncertain”.
It argued that the prolonged detention of the victims has created fear and anxiety among teachers, discouraged parents from sending their children to school, and heightened tension across communities in the state.
The development followed a directive by President Bola Tinubu on Sunday for the recruitment of 1, 000 forest guards to secure the release of the abducted teachers and students.
