For the families of dozens of students and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, each passing day without news of their loved ones has become a painful reminder of their ordeal.

The anguish spilled onto the streets of Ibadan on Monday and Tuesday as hundreds of protesters, including teachers, students, civil society groups and concerned residents, demanded urgent action to secure the release of the victims.

Carrying placards with messages such as “Bring Back Our Children,” “Security for All, Not for a Few,” and “Government Must End Kidnapping in Oyo State,” the demonstrators marched through major parts of the city and later blocked access roads leading to the Oyo State Government Secretariat at Agodi.

The protest disrupted business and commercial activities around the secretariat, with banks, shops and offices recording low turnout as workers and commuters struggled to navigate alternative routes. However, protesters insisted that the inconvenience was insignificant compared to the suffering being endured by families whose children and relatives remain in captivity.

Many of the demonstrators expressed frustration over what they described as a slow response to the worsening security situation in the state. They said residents now live in fear as kidnappings and violent attacks continue to threaten schools, communities and travellers.

One of the protest leaders said the movement would continue until the abducted children and teachers regain their freedom.

“We will be here every day until our children are brought back. Their safety is non-negotiable,” the protest leader declared.

The protesters, drawn largely from the Take-It-Back Movement, marched from Mokola Roundabout to the University College Hospital (UCH), attracting public attention to the plight of the victims. Along the route, motorists and passers-by watched as the demonstrators called on authorities to act swiftly.

Activist Femi Adeyeye said the rally was organised to highlight both the suffering of the abducted victims and the broader insecurity confronting residents across the state. According to him, many citizens now feel vulnerable as incidents of kidnapping become increasingly common.

Another activist, Kayode Babayomi, urged both the state and federal governments to strengthen security around schools and rural communities. He warned that unless decisive action is taken, more lives could be at risk.

Beyond demanding the release of the victims, the protesters called for safer roads, better protection for farmers and traders, and justice for victims of violent crimes across Oyo State.

The demonstrations come amid growing tension following the abduction of about 39 students and seven teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15. The attack also claimed the lives of an assistant headmaster and a commercial motorcyclist.

Public anger deepened after reports emerged that one of the abducted teachers, Michael Oyedokun, had been killed by his captors. The development heightened fears among families and residents already worried about the fate of those still being held.

Adding to the concern, a video circulated online showing one of the abducted school principals, Rachael Alamu of Community High School, Esiele, pleading for urgent intervention. In the video, she appealed to authorities to intensify rescue efforts, warning that the kidnappers had threatened further violence.

The crisis has also drawn the attention of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), which declared an indefinite strike and directed members nationwide to organise solidarity rallies in support of efforts to secure the release of the abducted victims.

Amid mounting pressure, Governor Seyi Makinde has visited affected families, while a federal delegation led by the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu travelled to Ogbomoso to assess the situation.

President Bola Tinubu has also ordered the deployment of a specialised security team equipped with advanced rescue capabilities to facilitate the release of the abducted students and teachers.

For the families still waiting, however, official visits and assurances can only provide limited comfort. Their greatest hope remains the safe return of their children and loved ones from captivity.