• NANS Demands Immediate Action, To Protest In Ibadan On Monday
• APC Blames Makinde For Rising Insecurity In Oyo
• Baptist Church Urges Continued Prayers, As Government Reassures Families

As Nigerians prayerfully wait on both the federal and Oyo State governments to make good their pledge of ensuring the safe release of seven teachers and 39 students abducted on May 15, 2026, by terrorists from Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Oriire Local Council, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced plans to stage a “solidarity and advocacy” rally in Ibadan on Monday, June 1, to press for the freedom of the victims.

The announcement by NANS came amid a protest on Friday by the Oyo State Teachers’ Action Group, which was joined by the Nigeria Teachers’ Congress (NTC), a non-governmental organisation, to demand for the safe return of the victims.

Speaking during the protest, the National President of the NTC, Reverend Bunmi Thomas, said the organisation decided to participate in the protest by the teachers as a show of solidarity.

“When we heard about the proposed protest by the Oyo State Teachers’ Action Group, we were satisfied and decided to join them because what they are doing is lawful. They are demanding pragmatic action from the government to secure the release of the abducted teachers and students,” he said.

Thomas acknowledged that government authorities had reportedly taken steps to address the situation, but insisted that more urgent action was required.

“If the government is trying and the desired result has not been achieved, then more efforts must be intensified. We want the government to do more to rescue the teachers and pupils,” he said.

He expressed concern over the condition of the abducted victims, noting that some of them were very young children exposed to harsh conditions in captivity.

“We have children as young as two and three years old in the bush. They are exposed to rain and harsh weather conditions. These victims are in danger, and nobody knows who could be next,” he lamented.

The group also called for improved security arrangements in public schools across the state, urging the government to deploy security personnel to educational institutions to prevent further attacks.

“We want the government to attach security personnel to all government schools. We cannot continue to work while living in danger,” Thomas said.

In a statement on Friday, the President of NANS, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, urged all branches of the association, along with allied partners, to participate in the solidarity and advocacy rally in Oyo State on Monday following the continued detention of the kidnapped students and teachers. 

Afeez described the situation as distressing and unacceptable, insisting that Nigerian students could no longer remain silent while innocent pupils and educators are still being held by their abductors. 

According to the statement, the solidarity movement is aimed at demanding urgent action from security agencies and relevant authorities towards ensuring the immediate release of the abducted students and teachers.

The NANS president said the rally would include visits to the affected schools, including Community High School/Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele; L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esiele; and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.

He added that the association would also visit the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the state before embarking on a peaceful walk against insecurity in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.  

Afiez called on all NANS structures, student leaders, activists, stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to join the movement in demanding justice and the safe rescue of the victims. 

“I write at this critical and defining juncture to invite all NANS structures, sister unions, stakeholders, and leaders to a solidarity movement in Oyo State. 

“This solidarity movement is premised on the continuous hostage situation involving our students and teachers following the gruesome and inhumane attack in Orire Local Government Area. 

“It has been two weeks since this cruel and callous act was perpetrated, and it is appalling that, till this day, the abducted students and teachers are yet to be rescued. 

“At this critical crossroads, silence is no longer golden; we must act decisively and forthwith,” Akinteye stated.

However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has blamed the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde for the surge in kidnapping, violent attacks and other security breaches across the state, calling for immediate action to secure the release of abducted school children and teachers.

The APC said the worsening security situation in Oyo State contrasted sharply with earlier years in the South-West region, alleging that the state government had prioritised “political showmanship and lip service” over effective security management.

In a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC expressed concern over recent incidents of abductions, including the kidnapping of students and teachers in Oriire Local Council, as well as the abduction of two staff members of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Idi Ayunre, Oluyole Local Council.

The party accused Governor Makinde of failing to take decisive steps to curb insecurity, alleging that his administration had shifted blame to the Federal Government while neglecting its responsibilities.

“We have said on several occasions that window dressing and populism cannot help in building and sustaining a security architecture,” the statement read.

“The current administration started on a bad note in 2019 with the disengagement of some critical stakeholders from joint security activities in the state.”

The APC further alleged that traditional rulers and other key stakeholders had been sidelined in security coordination, while significant resources were allegedly spent on vehicles and surveillance equipment without corresponding results.

It claimed that despite reports of the procurement of surveillance aircraft, there had been little evidence of their deployment in tackling insecurity in the state.

The party also criticised the administration’s handling of the Western Nigeria Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps, alleging poor welfare, inadequate remuneration, and improper deployment of personnel.

According to the APC, the corps had been “poorly treated and poorly equipped,” limiting its effectiveness in addressing rising security challenges.

The statement also referenced past allegations surrounding the activities of a political group allegedly linked to Mukaila Auxiliary, accusing the administration of previously empowering armed elements for political purposes, a claim the party said had contributed to current security concerns.

On its part, the Nigerian Baptist Convention has also condemned the abduction, describing the incident as tragic, barbaric and a reflection of the worsening insecurity confronting the country.

In a statement issued by Rev. Ebenezer Durodola on behalf of the President of the Convention, Rev. Dr. Israel Adelani Akanji, the church disclosed that the victims comprised seven teachers and 39 students.

The church added that among those abducted was a two-year-old girl identified as Christianah Akanbi of Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School.

According to the statement, four motorcycles were also stolen during the attack, with three taken from Yawota community residents and one from the high school.

Akanji lamented the plight of the abducted children and teachers, noting that they were being exposed to harsh weather conditions in captivity without shelter.

“The Nigerian Baptist Convention is particularly grieved by this occurrence, especially the condition of the children and toddler who are innocently held captive and exposed daily to rainfall and harsh weather,” he said.

The cleric recalled previous attacks on Baptist institutions across the country, including the abduction of 120 students and a matron from Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna, in July 2021.

He said repeated appeals to end kidnappings, killings and destruction of churches and schools had yielded little result, adding that Nigerians were gradually losing patience over the persistent insecurity.

Akanji urged government at all levels to adopt decisive and coordinated measures to address the security crisis, stressing that mere statements were no longer sufficient.
He charged security agencies to deploy more robust and technology-driven strategies against criminal groups terrorising communities.

The Baptist leader also called on traditional rulers, community leaders and civil society organisations to collaborate with government in tackling insecurity, insisting that local participation in community security had become imperative.

He renewed calls for the establishment of state police, “adequately equipped with sophisticated weapons and operating in collaboration with local security outfits.”

“The Federal Government should also seek international assistance where necessary to check the influx of criminal elements into Nigeria,” he added.

Akanji further lamented what he described as the growing brutality against innocent children, warning that such acts would attract divine judgment.

He likened Nigeria’s current condition to the biblical victim on the Jerusalem-Jericho road, saying the nation had become “wounded, bleeding and dying” due to incessant violence and insecurity.

The Convention, however, commiserated with families who lost loved ones in the attack and assured the government of its support in efforts aimed at rescuing the abducted victims safely.

It also called on Christians and Nigerians of goodwill to intensify prayers for the safe return of the captives and restoration of peace in the country.

Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde has again reassured families of the abducted teachers that efforts were ongoing to secure their safe return.

Speaking during the governorship and legislative primary elections of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), held at the Watershed Event Centre, Old Ife Road, Ibadan, on Thursday, Makinde stated that security had remained one of the major pillars of his administration since inception and would continue to receive priority attention.

The governor appreciated residents of the state for their support for his administration over the last seven years, noting that their cooperation contributed significantly to the achievements recorded under the Omituntun agenda.

Also, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security Matters, Sunday Odukoya, while addressing the demonstrators on Friday, assured them that the government was actively working to secure the release of the victims.

“It is your constitutional right to protest and let the government know your concerns. This incident is unfortunate, but I want to assure you that the government is not folding its arms over the matter,” he said.

He added that security agencies were working discreetly to avoid jeopardising ongoing rescue operations.

“Since this incident happened, Governor Seyi Makinde has been on top of the situation. I have personally visited the area several times, and both the traditional ruler in Esinele and residents of Yawota can attest to the government’s efforts,” he said.

He assured the protesters that none of them would be victimised for participating in the demonstration.

“No teacher involved in this protest will be victimised. That has never happened under this administration and it will not happen,” he said.