Traffic was partially disrupted along the busy Iwo Road corridor in Ibadan on Monday as protesters staged a peaceful demonstration demanding the immediate rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The protesters gathered on a section of the major roadway, carrying banners and placards calling on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the victims and address the growing security challenges in the state.
As part of the demonstration, participants held prayer sessions on the road, seeking divine intervention for the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers. They also prayed for an end to kidnapping and other forms of criminal activity affecting communities across Oyo State.
The demonstrators outlined several demands, including improved security for roads and communities, enhanced protection for farmers, traders, students, and families, as well as the restoration of peace, justice, and public safety across the state.
Speaking during the protest, some participants expressed concern over what they described as the increasing incidence of kidnapping in parts of Oyo State. They warned that many residents now live in fear due to the activities of criminal elements and urged authorities to take decisive action to curb the trend.
The protesters called on the Oyo State Government, security agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen rescue operations and implement more effective security measures to prevent future abductions.
They maintained that securing the release of the abducted Oriire pupils and teachers must remain a top priority, stressing that every available resource should be deployed to ensure their safe return and restore public confidence in the state’s security architecture.
The demonstration remained peaceful, although vehicular movement was affected in parts of the Iwo Road area during the protest. Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the protesters’ demands as of the time of filing this report.
