Ogun: Youths and Mothers Protest Oyo Abductions, Demand School Closures

On Monday, residents of Ogun State staged a protest against national insecurity and the recent abduction of 39 school children and seven teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

The demonstrators, which included youths and nursing mothers, carried placards with messages such as “The crime they committed is they went to school, release our children and teachers,” “Stop brutality, kidnapping, banditry,” “Stop insecurity, Nigeria is falling apart,” “Our future is crying for help!!! help!!! help!!!,” “Let us believe in our country again,” “Bring back our school children,” and “End terrorism in Nigeria.”

On 16 May 2026, armed men raided three schools – Community Grammar School, L.A. Primary School (both in Ahoro‑Esinele), and Baptist Nursery and Primary School (in Yawota) – in Oriire Local Government Area near Ogbomoso.

Daily Post reported that one of the teachers abducted from Community Grammar School, Mr. Micheal Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher, was beheaded by the terrorists.

Speaking on behalf of the demonstrators at Panseke skating ground in Abeokuta, Pastor Juwon Owolabi said that residents can no longer sleep well because they do not know who will be the next victim.

Owolabi insisted that the country is at a tipping point where no one, whether rich or poor, is safe, and that even businesses cannot continue.

“This is a time where parents and everyone is grieving. We cannot continue like this; we sleep with anxiety and panic and we trust that the government has the capacity and what it takes to end this insecurity now,” he said.

“We know that if it doesn’t end now, no one will be safe in the end. We stand with the parents, the families of those who are in the den of these terrorists.”

“We are at a tipping point. If we don’t do anything about this insecurity, all of us will be victims. It doesn’t matter who you are – whether you are a civil servant, rich, or poor – you are not safe.”

“Nobody is safe. It’s time we all come out; there is power in our numbers. The government must know we are united. Don’t wait until the 2027 election; you don’t even have a choice. The choices are made for you already, so this is the time for us to speak out peacefully,” Owolabi added.

He begged the Nigerian government to deploy all necessary instruments to ensure that the abducted children are released and that community security is guaranteed.

Also speaking, entrepreneur Ada Comfort said that although her children are not among the victims, she is having nightmares about the welfare of the abducted children.

Comfort argued that insecurity has also affected her business, stating that the least the government can do is protect the lives and property of its residents.

“For someone like me, I’m into Asoke and I travel to Iseyin and Ilorin. For the past week I cannot travel; I can’t do anything. I have orders coming in but can’t work,” she said.

“I know that every mother whose children are in the captivity of the bandit is not happy. My kids are not there, but I can’t sleep. I daydream about those children and can’t imagine how terrible the mothers of those kids are feeling at the moment.”

“The least the government can do for us as citizens is to provide security. We are begging them,” she added.

Our correspondent observed a nursing mother and her child during the protest. When spoken to, Precious Jonathan said she joined the protests because her children and other children out there deserve a better Nigeria.

“My baby is one year and a month old. I’m out because of my child and my unborn children. I want a better Nigeria for all of us. The government should please remember us and give us a better Nigeria,” she said.

“The other day it was raining heavily and I stood to close the windows and wrap my baby up. And I immediately remembered the children in the bush,” she said, crying.

Meanwhile, Ayodeji Ojo, a businessman in the state, asserted that the kids are innocent and urged security agencies to double their efforts.

“Please we need action and not just negotiation. If we keep talking slowly they will keep coming back for us and we don’t know who is next,” he said.

“If we keep folding our hands, your family and mine can be the next person,” he added.

The demonstrators demanded that all schools be closed until the security challenges are well handled and the kidnapped children are released.

They added that terrorists and kidnappers can never change, urging the government to take strict actions to save the children.

Our correspondent observed a strong police presence at the protest ground. When asked, one of the security operatives said they were on the ground to ensure that the protest goes smoothly and is not hijacked by hoodlums.