By Paul Daniel l June 1, 2026
IBADAN, NIGERIA — Hundreds of residents, teachers, civil society activists, and members of the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement took to the streets of Ibadan on Sunday, demanding urgent action from authorities over the continued captivity of an abducted school principal, teachers, and pupils seized by gunmen in Oyo State.
The demonstrators marched through major parts of the Oyo State capital carrying placards and chanting slogans calling for the immediate rescue of the victims, who were kidnapped during attacks on communities and schools in the Ogbomoso area earlier in May. Protesters accused authorities of not doing enough to secure the release of those still being held by their captors.
The protest follows growing public outrage over the abduction of school principal Mrs. Adenike Oladipo, several teachers, and pupils who were taken during attacks on the Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area. Families of the victims have repeatedly appealed to the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to bring their loved ones home safely.
Carrying banners bearing messages such as “Bring Back Our Children” and “Education Must Not Become a Death Sentence,” the protesters warned that insecurity in schools and rural communities has reached alarming levels. They argued that teachers and students should not have to live in fear while pursuing education and community development.
Leaders of the demonstration said the protest was intended to draw attention to the plight of the victims and pressure authorities to act with greater urgency. They expressed concern about the welfare of the abducted children and educators, noting that some of the victims have reportedly remained in captivity for more than two weeks.
The growing agitation comes amid reports that teachers in parts of Oyo State have threatened industrial action over security concerns and the prolonged detention of their colleagues and students. Education stakeholders have warned that continued attacks on schools could undermine learning and discourage teachers from accepting postings to vulnerable communities.
Addressing the protesters, government representatives assured residents that efforts to rescue the victims were ongoing. Officials maintained that security agencies were actively pursuing leads and conducting operations aimed at securing the safe release of those abducted. They also appealed for patience, arguing that certain operational details could not be disclosed publicly for security reasons.
Despite the assurances, demonstrators insisted that more decisive action was needed. They called for stronger security measures around schools, improved protection for rural communities, and regular updates on rescue efforts.
The abductions have reignited concerns about insecurity across parts of southwestern Nigeria, where communities previously considered relatively safe have increasingly faced incidents of kidnapping and violent attacks. Analysts warn that continued assaults on schools and educational personnel could have far-reaching consequences for access to education and public confidence in security institutions.
As pressure mounts on authorities, families of the abducted principal, teachers, and pupils continue to wait anxiously for news of their loved ones, hoping that ongoing rescue efforts will soon bring an end to their ordeal.