Commercial and traffic activities were paralyzed Monday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, as scores of members of civil society groups stormed the streets of Ibadan in continuation of the protest demanding the immediate release of the 39 schoolchildren and their teachers being held in captivity by terrorists.
The protests, which caused temporary shutdown of commercial activities at the ever-busy Iwo Road, Ibadan, saw the road leading to Ife barricaded by the aggrieved youths.
Also, the Challenge Roundabout leading to Lagos Expressway was barricaded by the protesters calling on government to end worsening insecurity across the state.
Led by a human rights group, Take It Back Movement, the protest held at different locations in the city was peaceful.
The mass movement also witnessed gridlock at other major roads within the Ibadan metropolis and involved a mix of youths, artisans, market men and women.
The demonstrators blocked busy intersections from about 8:30 a.m. with placards carrying various inscriptions such as “Bring Back Our Children Now”, “Oyo Blood Is Not Cheap”, and “End Kidnapping Now”.
Vehicles entering the ancient city from Challenge, Ring Road and Iwo Road were forced to turn back, causing long gridlock.
The protesters lamented that kidnappings, banditry and farm invasions in Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun and Ibadan have made daily life unsafe.
Men of the Oyo State Police Command, Amotekun Corps and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were seen in strategic positions to prevent looting, violence and breakdown of law and order.
While speaking, the National Coordinator of the Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the protest “is a continuation of actions the organisation has embarked upon since the abduction of children and teachers” in the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State in May.
He said, “We will continue to protest for the release of all abducted victims until they are free. We believe that government officials are in the comfort of their rooms and offices while innocent 38 students and their teachers are languishing in the kidnappers’ den.”
He lamented that politicians are busy strategising for the 2027 elections when the country is not secure.
Sanyaolu added, “We will not be sitting until 2027. By that time, we won’t even know how many will be alive. So that is why we are at the heart of Ibadan in Oyo State, where the abduction took place. The state and federal governments must act or they will continue to witness mass action.”
Kemi Olaitan
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