‘Silence no longer golden’ — NANS sets June 1 for solidarity rally in Oyo

The National Association of Nigerian Students has announced plans to stage a solidarity and advocacy rally in Oyo State over the kidnapping of students and teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The association’s president, Akinteye Babatunde, disclosed this on Friday, describing the continued captivity of the victims as heartbreaking and unacceptable. He stated that students across the country could no longer remain silent while innocent pupils and teachers remained in the hands of abductors.

According to a statement issued by the NANS president, the rally is aimed at demanding urgent action from security agencies and relevant authorities to secure the immediate release of the victims.

The protest, scheduled for Monday, June 1, 2026, will include visits to the three affected schools: Community High School/Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele; L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esiele; and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.

The association also plans to visit the Commissioner of Police for Oyo State and the Director of the Department of State Services in the state before embarking on a peaceful walk against insecurity in Ibadan, the state capital.

Akinteye called on all NANS structures, student leaders, activists, stakeholders, and concerned Nigerians to join the movement to demand justice and the safe rescue of the victims.

He noted that it had been two weeks since the attack was carried out, and it was troubling that the abducted students and teachers had yet to be rescued. He stressed that silence was no longer an option and that decisive action was needed.

Gunmen had attacked Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting seven teachers and 39 students. During the attack, a teacher identified as Michael Oyedokun was reportedly killed, while a two-year-old toddler, Christianah Akanbi, was among those taken.