Hundreds of teachers and civil society activists marched through Ibadan on Friday, demanding immediate action to free colleagues and pupils kidnapped in Oriire Local Government Area.
The protest, led by the Oyo State Teachers Action Group and the Nigeria Teachers Congress, NTC, followed the May 15 abduction of victims in Esiele and Yawota communities near Ogbomoso.
—“Do more to rescue them”—
NTC National President Rev. Bunmi Thomas told protesters the rally was lawful and necessary. “We are demanding pragmatic action from government to secure the release of the abducted teachers and students,” he said.
While acknowledging ongoing rescue efforts, Thomas insisted more must be done: “If the government is trying and the result is not there, then efforts must be intensified.”
He raised alarm over the children’s condition: “We have kids as young as two and three years old in the bush, exposed to rain and harsh weather.”
Thomas also called for security in all public schools: “We cannot continue to work while living in danger. Government must attach security personnel to every government school.”
He stressed the protest was not against Governor Seyi Makinde: “No reasonable teacher in Oyo State is against Governor Makinde because he has performed excellently well.”
—Government responds–,
Executive Assistant on Security Matters, retired CP Sunday Odukoya, addressed protesters on behalf of the state government. “It is your constitutional right to protest and let government know your concerns,” he said, assuring that rescue operations were ongoing.
Odukoya also promised no teacher would be victimized for joining the protest.
Protesters said their only demand is the safe and swift return of the kidnapped teachers and pupils.
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