Protests in Abuja for Kidnapped Oyo Pupils and Teachers

Protesters from the Take-It-Back Movement marched in Abuja on Thursday. They called for the quick rescue of abducted pupils and teachers from Oyo State. This happened with tight security around the Presidential Villa.

The protesters were led by activist Omoyele Sowore, who is also a presidential candidate for the African Action Congress. They shouted slogans like “Bring Back Our Children Now,” “Rescue or Resign Now,” “Tinubu must go,” and “Save our school now.”

Security forces set up barricades on roads leading to Aso Rock. Armed police, soldiers, and other security personnel increased stop-and-search operations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This protest came after growing anger over the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oyo State. On May 15, gunmen attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School in Esiele, and LA Primary School in Ahoro-Esiele. These schools are in the Oriire Local Government Area, close to Ogbomoso.

During the attack, around 45 pupils, teachers, and the school principal were taken by the gunmen. One of the kidnapped teachers, Mr Adesiyan, who was an assistant headmaster, was killed by the kidnappers after a video of the incident appeared online.

This incident caused a lot of anger, leading to an indefinite strike by the Oyo State branch of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). The union felt it was necessary to push the government to make schools safer for both students and teachers.

Speaking to the protesters in Abuja, Sowore accused the Nigerian government of not doing enough to handle the rising insecurity in the country. He said, “We are here as a reversal to what might become the final push for revolution in this country. We are asking that Tinubu, with immediate effect, go and rescue the children who were kidnapped across the country and get them released immediately because that is what he imposed on Nigerians to do as the President.”

The protesters moved through different parts of the city, including around Eagle Square and the Federal High Court. Security personnel kept a close watch on the demonstration.

Earlier in the week, members of the Take-It-Back Movement also protested in Ibadan, Oyo State, demanding the rescue of the kidnapped pupils and teachers.

Before the protest on Thursday, security around the Presidential Villa was tightened. Armed members of the police, State Security Services (SSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were placed at key spots around the Villa.

Several roads leading to Aso Rock were blocked. Only people with proper authorization were allowed access. This heavy security caused traffic problems around the Federal Secretariat, National Assembly, and Supreme Court areas as drivers had to take alternative routes.