Members of the Cherubim and Seraphim (C&S) Church staged a protest against rising insecurity in Nigeria, demanding the immediate release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State. The demonstration took place on the streets of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, with church members carrying placards and chanting slogans against kidnapping and banditry.
Protest Details
The white garment church members displayed placards bearing messages such as “Stop Kidnapping,” “Stop Insecurity,” “We Want End of Banditry,” “Release Our Abducted Students in Captivity,” and “We Want End of Attacks on Our Schools.” They also chanted slogans condemning attacks on educational institutions during the procession.
The protest was captured in a video uploaded on X by @ChuksEricE on Monday, June 15, 2026, as reported by The Punch. The C&S members repeatedly called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s federal government to secure the country and rescue the victims.
Voices from the Protest
One protester demanded an end to bandit attacks on schools, stating, “We want an end to bandit attacks on our schools, and bring back our school children. We want our children back.” Another expressed concern over the abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State, saying, “Bring back our children from Oyo State, Ibadan. Our children are not politicians. They are the future generation. If we kill them, who will succeed Nigeria tomorrow?” The demonstrators also chanted for improved leadership and security, shouting, “We need good governance in Nigeria. We don’t want insurgency again. We don’t want insecurity again.”
Public Reactions
The protest sparked reactions on social media. @blazedefi01 commented, “This is great! Other denominations should keep tribalism aside and join this march for a better Nigeria.” @chinemelumma added, “Other religions should follow suit. Insecurity in Nigeria affects everybody, regardless of your faith.” @Omo_Borogun criticized the government, saying, “The government seems not to understand the gravity of the insecurity and kidnapping situation. If not, they wouldn’t just be sitting there doing nothing about it.” @EBona69 joked, “RCCG left the group chat,” while @iambekong asked, “When would Redeem join?” @EjikeGodwins echoed, “Abi nah.. Bring back our school children and teachers.”
Background on Insecurity in Oyo State
Bandits killed one traveller and injured others in a fresh attack in the Irepo Local Government Area of Oyo state. This came after Governor Seyi Makinde provided an update on the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire. Surprise attacks and mass kidnappings for ransom have become common in Nigeria, with armed gangs targeting rural communities.
Governor Makinde’s Update
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed that the abducted schoolchildren and teachers are still within the forest of the state. The children were kidnapped by gunmen 27 days ago at the Ahoro-Esinle and Yewota communities in the Oriire LGA of Oyo. Governor Makinde gave the update in his Newsletter No. 140, released on Friday, June 12, adding that the victims remained at the point of the ongoing rescue operations.
