Residents of Ogbomoso, Oyo State, again took to the streets on Monday, to demand the release of abducted pupils and teachers kidnapped from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, urging security agencies and government authorities to intensify efforts to secure their freedom.
The protesters expressed frustration over the continued captivity of the victims, who were abducted during attacks on schools in Yawota and Ahoro-Esiele communities on May 15, 2026.
An elderly woman whose children were among those abducted broke down in tears during the demonstration, appealing to authorities to rescue the victims.
“Please, have mercy on me. The children have a bright future. Government, please help us and intervene in this matter,” she pleaded.
Other protesters lamented that the victims had spent weeks in captivity without significant progress towards their release, warning that the situation had left families traumatised and communities living in fear.
The protest followed similar demonstrations by teachers, civil society organisations and residents, who have continued to call for urgent government intervention and improved security for schools.
The abduction involved 39 pupils and seven teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area. During the attacks, a teacher was killed, while another abducted teacher was later pronounced dead in captivity.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) subsequently directed public school teachers in Oyo State to embark on an indefinite strike and organised solidarity protests across the country to press for the victims’ release.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the deployment of a specialised rescue team, while Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde has assured families that efforts to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers are ongoing.
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