Ogun Residents Take to Streets Over Abduction of School Children in Oyo

Scores of residents in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, staged a protest on Monday against rising insecurity and the recent kidnapping of about 40 school children and seven teachers in the Ogbomoso area of Oyo State.

The demonstrators, who gathered as early as 8am around the Panseke area, carried placards with messages such as “The crime they committed was that they went to school, release our children and teachers”, “Stop kidnapping, banditry”, and “Bring back our school children”.

Armed bandits had raided three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area near Ogbomoso, killing a teacher and one other resident. One of the abducted teachers, Mr Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded by the captors.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Pastor Juwon Owolabi said residents now live in palpable fear and can no longer sleep peacefully, uncertain of who might become the next victim.

He argued that when society is unsafe, businesses cannot thrive, and called on both the state and federal governments to do more to protect citizens.

Owolabi declared that the country is at a tipping point, adding that no one rich or poor is safe. He urged peaceful collective action, saying the government must understand that citizens are united in their demand for security.

An entrepreneur named Ada said the insecurity has affected her Aso oke business, as she can no longer travel to Iseyin and Ilorin for supplies. She noted that even though her own children were not among the victims, she constantly thinks about the abducted children and cannot sleep.

A nursing mother, Precious Jonathan, said she joined the protest for the sake of her one-year-old baby and unborn children, demanding a better Nigeria. She recalled feeling sad when she imagined the children trapped in the bush while she wrapped her own baby against the rain.

Another resident, businessman Ayodeji Ojo, urged security agencies to take decisive action rather than relying solely on negotiations. He warned that if the government continues to move slowly, criminals will keep returning, and no family can be certain of being safe.