Abduction: NANS, Abeokuta residents protest, demand swift release of Oriire victims

We’ll deploy every lawful tool available to ensure our children, teachers are returned home — Tinubu

Oyo public schools comply with NUT directive, commence indefinite strike

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Monday, protested the May 15 abduction of 42 pupils and teachers from public schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

During its protest, members of NANS, joined by Civil Society Organisations, marched in their hundreds across Bodija, Mokola, Iwo Road, Gate/Bus Stop, and the state Secretariat in Agodi, Ibadan.

The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions calling for the immediate release of all the victims from captivity.

Speaking to newsmen, one of the student leaders, Mr Moses Olawole, decried the government’s negligence and delayed actions to seek the abductees’ release.

Olawole said that with decisive action from the government, the situation wouldn’t have lasted this long, going to about three weeks.

He said the protest would be sustained, with all NANS members marching daily until the pupils and teachers were released.

He said that students would march to Aso Rock, Abuja, for a national protest by June 8 if the government failed to free the abductees.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that security personnel were fully represented to maintain law and order as the protest continued.

Meanwhile, Mr Sunday Odukoya, the Executive Assistant on Security Matters to Gov. Seyi Makinde, who monitored the protest, declined to comment on the development.

Also, residents of Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Monday, staged a peaceful protest, calling on appropriate authorities to ensure immediate release of abducted school children and teachers in Oyo state.

The protesters, comprising youths, mothers, traders and others gathered at the Panseke skating ground armed with placards with inscriptions such as “Bring back our kidnapped children”, “Help us stop kidnapping”, among others.

NAN reports that the protest followed the abduction of 39 pupils and seven teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State in May.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Pastor Juwon Owolabi said that the situation had left many residents living in fear and uncertainty.

Owolabi stressed that businesses and daily activities cannot flourish in an insecure environment, urging the government to deploy all necessary resources to secure the victims’ release and safeguard communities.

The cleric called on Nigerians to unite and peacefully demand decisive action against insecurity.

Also speaking, Mrs Ada Comfort, an entrepreneur, said the worsening security situation had disrupted her business activities.

She said the fear of travelling had prevented her from fulfilling customers’ orders and conducting normal business operations.

Comfort expressed sympathy for the abducted children and their families, describing their ordeal as heartbreaking.

A nursing mother, Mrs Precious Jonathan, said she joined the protest because she desired a safer future for her children.

Jonathan said she frequently thought about the abducted children and their wellbeing, especially during harsh weather conditions, and appealed to the government to prioritise the safety and welfare of citizens.

Mr Ayodeji Ojo, a businessman, urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims, while demanding a temporary closure of schools in vulnerable areas until security improves.

He urged government authorities to adopt stronger measures against kidnappers and other criminal groups.

NAN reports that security personnel, including officers of the police and NSCDC, were strategically deployed across the state to maintain security.

However, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised that all efforts will be made to rescue the teachers and pupils abducted in Oyo State.

According to him, security agencies have been directed to deploy every lawful means available, including both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, to ensure the safe return of the victims.

“Our rescue efforts will be intelligence-led, careful, coordinated, and sustained. We will deploy every lawful tool available, both kinetic and non-kinetic, to ensure our children and teachers are safely returned home,” President Tinubu said in a statement posted on his X handle on Monday.

The President also expressed sorrow over the killing of a teacher during the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, and extended his condolences to the wife of the deceased, Mrs. Mary Oyedokun.

“I also extend my deepest condolences to Mrs. Mary Oyedokun, the wife of the late school teacher and her family. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten, and his family will not be abandoned,” he stated.

Also, President Tinubu stressed that children should never be subjected to the trauma of abduction.

“No child should be taken from the safety of a classroom. No parent should have to endure this anguish,” he said.

He further assured the affected communities that ongoing efforts to rescue the abducted pupils and teachers would remain sustained, coordinated and intelligence-driven.

Tinubu also reiterated measures already approved to strengthen security in the area, including the deployment of a specialised security unit equipped with advanced rescue capabilities.

“I have also directed the deployment of a specialised security unit with advanced rescue capabilities to intensify efforts to secure the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers,” he said.

Meanwhile, teachers in public primary and secondary schools across Oyo State on Monday began an indefinite strike to protest the kidnapp of teachers and pupils of three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of the state

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that armed men on May 15 attacked Community Grammar School, L.A. Primary School, both in Ahoro- Esinele and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, near Ogbomoso, where pupils and teachers were abducted and two persons killed.

Following the incident, the NUT, Oyo State Wing, directed teachers in the state to embark on an indefinite strike to start on June 1.

A NAN correspondent who monitored the strike in public schools in Ibadan reports full compliance with the indefinite strike.

Some of the schools visited included Anglican Junior Secondary School, Orita-Mefa; St. Patrick Secondary School, Bashorun; St. Louis Grammar School, Mokola; Oba Akinbiyi Model School; and St. Brigid’s School, Mokola.

NAN reports that many students who arrived at their schools as early as 7:45 a.m. were turned back and asked to return home.

NAN also observed that only candidates sitting for the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) and teachers assigned to invigilation duties were allowed into school premises.

One of the teachers, Mrs Yemisi Alao, told NAN that staff members in her school had been directed not to report for duty in compliance with the union’s directive.

“We are all complying in solidarity with the affected teachers, pupils and their families. We pray that the abducted victims will regain their freedom and return home safely,” she said.

Another teacher, Mrs Tayo Olutayo, said both students and teachers had been adequately informed ahead of the industrial action.

“Only WAEC candidates and teachers involved in the examination process are expected to be in school,” she said.

Reports from other parts of the state including Oyo, Ogbomoso, Iseyin, Saki, Eruwa and Igboora in Ibarapa indicate full compliance with the strike by teachers in public primary and secondary schools.