Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Committee for the Defense of Human Rights(CDHR) and other various civil society organizations in Ogun State, yesterday joined in the nationwide protest against the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State.

It will be recalled that, two weeks ago, 39 students and seven teachers were kidnapped during an attack on several schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The attack affected three schools: Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esinle, as well as Baptist Nursery and Primary School located in Yawota.

The abductors also killed Mr. Michael Oyedokun, a mathematics teacher who was kidnapped from Community Grammar School.

Some residents of the state on Monday also staged a protest across Abeokuta, the state capital, to force the federal government to urgently rescue the victims.

However, on Tuesday, the protesters who chanted solidarity songs, carried banners with inscriptions including,  “Set our teachers, pupils free from captivity, “Our chalks were broken by guns: enough we say”, “Release our teachers and learners unconditionally“,

Others are: “Stop the attacks on schools”, “Government should rise up to its security responsibilities,”Unchain our children, unchain Nigeria’s destiny”, “NUT is in solids with it’s members in captivity”, “One abducted child, one nation in chain”, “Nigeria, our blackboards are turning into graveyards”, among others.

Speaking during the protest, the CDHR National Chairman of Committee for the Defense of Human rights(CDHR) Comrade Yinka Folarin, urged security agencies to strengthen their operations and prioritize the sanctity of human life.

He explained that the protest was intended to increase public awareness of the need for residents to actively support efforts against terrorism and violence, emphasizing that “Nigeria belongs to us all.”

“As a matter of responsibility, we are not supposed to live in fear in our country. The government must create an enabling environment and the people must be ready to support government efforts in the maintenance of peace and sustainable security.”

“We are in a dilemma right now in the country. Our right to movement cannot be guaranteed and in a very barbaric manner we can see the dehumanisation and humiliation suffered by the victims. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere, and that is why every well-meaning Nigerian and stakeholder must rise to voice for the voiceless,” he noted.

Also, the National President of the NUT, Comrade Titus Amba, represented by the National Vice President, Comrade Titilope Adebanjo, said teachers are living in fear and urged President Bola Tinubu to treat the matter with urgency by ensuring the immediate release of those affected.