IBADAN – A tide of anger and anguish swept through the streets of Ibadan on Tuesday as hundreds of protesters, led by social activist Martins Vincent Otse, brought the Oyo State capital to a standstill.
They were demanding immediate action over the abduction of students and teachers from Community High School, Ahoro-Dada, in the Oriire Local Government Area.
The demonstration, which saw major roads blocked and traffic thrown into chaos, was a stark visual representation of the public fury over what many are calling a national tragedy.
Chanting and carrying placards with messages such as “Bring Back Our Children” and “Enough of Insecurity,” the crowd, including members of the Ratel Movement and figures like KokoPee, marched to the seat of power to voice their frustration .
Addressing the throng, Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, insisted the protest was not a political stunt but a desperate call to amplify the voices of traumatised families who have spent days in agonising uncertainty.
He demanded that both federal and state governments deploy every available resource to secure the victims’ release
Makinde Issues Appeal for Unity
In a significant development, Governor Seyi Makinde met with the protesters to listen directly to their grievances.
While acknowledging their pain and commending the peaceful nature of the demonstration, the governor issued an urgent appeal for calm and unity.
Describing the situation as a period of “national distress,” Makinde urged the public to have trust in the government’s efforts.
He revealed that security agencies have been working around the clock, with federal operatives spending the Sallah holidays in the field.
“It’s not the time for us to say, well, it is the president that should have handled this, it is the governor or the local government.
“This is a time to pull together as one,” he stated, warning against actions that could deepen divisions.
The governor drew a personal connection to the crisis, recalling that his late father had taught in the very area where the abduction occurred . He stressed the brutality of the perpetrators, stating, “We are not dealing with normal human beings” .
A Nation on Edge
The Oriire abduction, which occurred on 15 May and tragically claimed the life of an assistant headmaster and a teacher, has once again highlighted the perilous security situation in Nigeria.
The protests are among the most prominent yet, reflecting the mounting pressure on authorities to secure the victims’ freedom and protect vulnerable communities .
As of the time of this report, the abducted students and teachers remain in captivity, their fate unknown.
The protest in Ibadan serves as a potent reminder that for many Nigerians, patience is wearing thin as the wait for positive news continues .
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