A major insecurity protest in Ibadan disrupted movement on Monday after members of the Take It Back Movement blocked key roads around the busy Iwo Road axis of Oyo State.
The demonstration reportedly began around 10 a.m. as protesters demanded urgent action over rising insecurity and the continued abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in the state.
Protesters Demand Release of Abducted Pupils and Teachers
The protesters called for the immediate release of 39 abducted pupils and teachers taken from communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Holding placards and chanting solidarity songs, the group insisted that authorities must intensify efforts to rescue all victims still being held captive across the country.
Speaking during the protest, National Coordinator of the movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the campaign for the victims’ freedom has continued since the kidnapping incident occurred in May.
“We will continue to protest for the release of all abducted victims until they are free. We believe that government officials are in the comfort of their rooms and offices while innocent students and teachers are languishing in kidnappers’ dens,” he said.
Take It Back Movement Criticises Government
Sanyaolu stressed that the protest was not limited to the South-West, describing it as a nationwide demand for the release of all kidnapped Nigerians.
“We are demanding freedom for all captives in the North, South, East and West of Nigeria,” he added.
He also accused political leaders of focusing more on preparations for the 2027 elections than addressing the country’s worsening security challenges.
“We will not be sitting until 2027. By then, we may not even know how many people will still be alive. The state and federal governments must act or they will continue to witness mass action,” he warned.
The protest resulted in heavy traffic congestion around Iwo Road, with commuters and motorists stranded for several hours as security personnel monitored the situation.
