By Adeyinka Adeniran
Commuters, transporters and other road users were subjected to several hours of awaiting on Monday as traffic was partially disrupted along the busy Iwo Road axis of Ibadan.
This is because protesters in their hundreds staged a demonstration demanding the immediate rescue of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire local government Area of Oyo State.
The protesters, who converged on a section of the road, carried banners and placards calling on the government and security agencies to take urgent steps to secure the release of the victims and tackle the growing wave of insecurity in the state.
With loud music blurring from the loudspeaker stationed on top of an open-back cab, the protesters were singing and dancing calling for an immediate rescue of the abductees.
During the demonstration, Muslim participants also observed the afternoon prayers on the road, seeking divine intervention for the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers, as well as an end to kidnapping and other criminal activities across Oyo State.
A banner displayed on one of the vehicles at the protest venue read: “Government Must Act – End Kidnapping in Oyo State.”
The protesters listed their demands to include safer roads and communities, protection for farmers, traders, students and families, as well as the restoration of peace, security and justice.
Other inscriptions on the banner included “Free the Ogbomoso Kidnapped Victims”, “Oyo Is Bleeding,” and “End Insecurity Now”, among others.
Speaking during the protest, some participants expressed concern over what they described as increasing cases of kidnapping in parts of the state, warning that residents now live in fear due to the activities of criminal elements.
They urged the Oyo state government, security agencies and relevant stakeholders to intensify rescue efforts and strengthen security measures to prevent further abductions.
The demonstration attracted the attention of motorists, commuters and traders in the area, while security personnel monitored the gathering to ensure order.
The protesters maintained that the swift rescue of the abducted Oriire pupils and teachers should remain a priority, insisting that every effort must be made to guarantee the safety of residents and restore public confidence in the state’s security architecture.
