Residents of Ogun State have staged a protest against the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, specifically condemning the recent kidnapping of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State. The demonstration, which took place on Monday, saw youths and nursing mothers marching through major streets in Abeokuta.
Protest Details
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “The crime they committed is they went to school, release our children and teachers,” “Stop brutality, kidnapping, banditry,” “Stop insecurity, Nigeria is falling apart,” “Our future is crying for help!!! help!!! help!!!,” “Let us believe in our country again,” “Bring back our school children,” and “End terrorism in Nigeria.”
On May 16, 2026, gunmen invaded three schools in Oriire Local Government Area near Ogbomoso: Community Grammar School, L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esinele, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota. One of the abducted teachers, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, a Mathematics teacher from Community Grammar School, was reportedly killed by the terrorists.
Voices from the Protest
Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators at the Panseke skating ground in Abeokuta, Pastor Juwon Owolabi lamented that residents can no longer sleep peacefully, unsure who will be the next victim. He insisted that the country is at a tipping point where no one, rich or poor, is safe, and even businesses cannot continue.
“This is a time where the parents and everyone is grieving. We cannot continue like this; we sleep with anxiety and panic. We trust that the government has the capacity to end this insecurity now. If it doesn’t end, no one will be safe. We stand with the parents and families of those in the den of these terrorists. We are at a tipping point,” Owolabi said.
He urged the Nigerian government to deploy all necessary instruments to ensure the release of the abducted children and guarantee community security.
Entrepreneur Ada Comfort, whose children are not among the victims, disclosed that she is having nightmares over the children’s welfare. She argued that insecurity has affected her business, as she travels to Iseyin and Ilorin for work. “For the past week I cannot travel; I can’t do anything. I have orders coming in but can’t work. The least the government can do is provide security,” she said.
Nursing mother Precious Jonathan, who participated with her one-year-old child, said, “I’m out because of my child and my unborn children. I want a better Nigeria for all of us. The government should remember us and give us a better Nigeria.”
Businessman Ayodeji Ojo urged security agencies to double their efforts, stating, “We need action, not just negotiation. If we keep talking slowly, they will keep coming back. If we fold our hands, your family and mine could be next.”
Demands
The demonstrators demanded that all schools be closed until the security challenges are addressed and the kidnapped children are released. They insisted that terrorists and kidnappers can never change, urging the government to take strict actions to save the children.
A strong police presence was observed at the protest ground. One security operative stated that they were on site to ensure the protest proceeded smoothly and was not hijacked by hoodlums.
