The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, has called on all branches of the association, along with allied partners, to participate in a solidarity and advocacy rally in Oyo State on Monday, June 1, following the kidnapping of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

In an invitation circulated on Friday to NANS chapters across the country, Afeez described the continued detention of the victims as distressing and unacceptable, insisting that Nigerian students can 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 toward securing 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.

Akinteye 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.

Gunmen had attacked Community High School, Ahoro-Esinle, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area, abducting seven teachers and 39 students.

During the attack, a teacher identified as Michael Oyedokun was reportedly killed, while a two-year-old toddler, Christianah Akanbi, was among those kidnapped.