• Police assure safe return of victims

Vehicular movement was disrupted yesterday along the busy Iwo Road axis of Ibadan as protesters staged a demonstration demanding the immediate rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Council of Oyo State.

The protesters converged on a section of the road, carrying placards with various inscriptions and calling on the government and security agencies to secure the release of the victims and address the growing insecurity in the state.

During the protest, the demonstrators offered prayers on the highway, seeking divine intervention for the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers, as well as an end to kidnapping and other violent crimes across Oyo State.

One of the banners displayed at the scene read: “Government Must Act – End Kidnapping in Oyo State,” while others bore inscriptions such as “Oyo Is Bleeding,” “Free the Ogbomoso Kidnapped Victims,” and “End Insecurity Now.”

The protesters demanded safer roads and communities, protection for farmers, traders, students and families, and the restoration of peace, security and justice across the state.

Some of the demonstrators expressed concern over what they described as a worsening wave of abductions in parts of Oyo State, warning that residents now live in fear because of the activities of criminal elements.

They called on the Oyo State Government, security agencies and other stakeholders to intensify rescue efforts and strengthen the state’s security architecture to prevent further incidents.

The demonstration attracted the attention of motorists, commuters and traders in the area, while security personnel monitored the protest and maintained order.

The protesters insisted that the rescue of the abducted Oriire pupils and teachers must remain a priority, stressing that urgent action was needed to restore public confidence and guarantee the safety of residents.

Meanwhile, the South-West Coordinating Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Adegoke Fayoade, assured that the 39 abducted schoolchildren and seven teachers from Ahoro-Esinle, Yawota and Alawusa communities in Oriire Local Council would soon regain their freedom.

Fayoade gave the assurance during a working visit to the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja.

The victims were abducted by terrorists on May 15, 2026, from their school.

A mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later beheaded by the terrorists on May 17, 2026. The kidnappers reportedly made four key demands, including the release of detained terrorist commanders such as Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri. Both men were identified as senior members of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fi Biladis Sudan (Ansaru), a breakaway faction of Boko Haram.

Other demands included the payment of ransom, the provision of two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related laws.

However, in the latest development, the kidnappers were reported to have dropped some of their earlier demands and are now largely focused on securing ransom payments.

He said: “All the agencies, including the government, are working hard. I can assure everyone that the children and their teachers will be freed soon.

“We do not know anything about ransom because we do not discuss ransom. All efforts are directed toward securing the release of the abductees.”