Following the abduction of 39 school children and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, multiple protests have erupted across the nation.
The victims have now been held captive for a full month since their abduction.
Popular social media activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), yesterday, led a peaceful ‘Bring Them Back’ protest in Ibadan, Oyo State, demanding urgent effort to secure the release of the victims.
Meanwhile, the protest comes barely three days after residents of Rivers State also held a demonstration calling for the release of the victims.
Similarly, Teachers and school children in Bayelsa joined in the mass action just last week. Video clips spotted on social media captioned schoolchildren and teachers in Bayelsa State on the street marching, chanting solidarity songs, further demanding the immediate rescue of students and teachers currently held by terrorists.
Gov Seyi Makinde Meets Protesters
Members of the Ratels movement and other concerned Nigerians joined the protest, which later led to a meeting with Governor Makinde. The governor promised that the state government would do everything possible to secure the safe release of the kidnapped pupils and their teachers.
Before his meeting with the governor, VDM told the protesters that the rally aimed to draw attention to the victims’ plight and pressure authorities to provide updates on the rescue efforts.
In response, Governor Makinde thanked the demonstrators for their peaceful conduct and reiterated his administration’s commitment to securing the release of the kidnapped students and teachers.
He also explained that rescue operations involving minors require extra caution and careful planning to avoid putting the victims’ lives at risk.
In a remark that drew applause, the governor personally assured the crowd that he would ensure the victims return home safely.
He said, “I, as the Governor of Oyo State, by the grace of God, will bring out those children.”
