Tension flared in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Wednesday as angry protesters confronted police officers while demanding the immediate rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted by suspected kidnappers.
The demonstrators, visibly distressed over the fate of the victims, accused security agencies of failing to act swiftly to secure their release and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The protest, which drew concerned residents and sympathisers, became heated when some protesters exchanged words with police operatives who attempted to calm the situation.
Several of the demonstrators insisted they had every right to express their frustration, arguing that the continued captivity of the victims had heightened fears among families and communities.
One of the protesters faulted the response of security agencies, questioning why efforts had not yielded the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.
According to the protester, it was unreasonable to expect relatives and concerned citizens to remain calm while the victims were still being held by kidnappers.
The demonstrator further lamented reports that one of the teachers had been killed, describing the development as heartbreaking and unacceptable.
The protesters urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure the victims were returned safely to their families without delay.
They also called on both the state and Federal Governments to strengthen security measures and tackle the growing menace of kidnapping, particularly attacks targeting schools and vulnerable communities.
Wednesday’s protest is the latest in a series of public outcries that have followed the abduction, with citizens, labour groups, and stakeholders mounting pressure on authorities to secure the release of the victims and improve security across the country.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had not issued any fresh update on efforts to rescue those still in captivity.