On Monday, residents of Ogun State took to the streets to voice their anger over the worsening security situation in Nigeria, particularly the recent abduction of 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.
The demonstrators, a mix of young people and nursing mothers, brandished placards with messages like “Their only crime was going to school—release our children and teachers,” “Stop brutality, kidnapping, and banditry,” “End insecurity: Nigeria is crumbling,” “Our future cries for help,” “Restore faith in our nation,” “Bring back our students,” and “Stop terrorism in Nigeria.”
As reported by DAILY POST, on May 16, 2026, gunmen attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area near Ogbomoso: Community Grammar School, L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esinele, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota. One of the abducted teachers, mathematics instructor Mr. Micheal Oyedokun, was beheaded by the terrorists.
Speaking at the Panseke skating ground in Abeokuta, Pastor Juwon Owolabi, representing the protesters, expressed that residents can no longer sleep peacefully, unsure who might be the next target. He stressed that the nation has reached a critical point where no one—rich or poor—is safe, and even business activities have stalled.
“This is a time of mourning for parents and all of us. We cannot continue this way; we sleep in fear and panic. We trust the government has the ability and resources to end this insecurity now,” Owolabi said. “If it doesn’t stop, eventually no one will be safe. We stand with the parents and families of those held captive by terrorists. We are at a tipping point. If we fail to act, we will all become victims. It doesn’t matter if you are a civil servant, wealthy, or poor—you are not safe. Now is the time to unite; our numbers give us strength. The government must know we are united. Don’t wait until the 2027 election; you don’t even have a choice—the choices have already been made for you. This is the moment for us to speak out peacefully.”
He urged the Nigerian government to use every available resource to secure the release of the abducted children and ensure community safety.
Entrepreneur Ada Comfort, though her children were not taken, admitted she has been having nightmares about the kidnapped kids. She noted that insecurity has hurt her business, preventing her from traveling to Iseyin and Ilorin for her Asoke trade. “For the past week, I can’t travel or work, even though I have orders. Every mother whose child is in the hands of bandits is suffering. My children are safe, but I can’t sleep—I daydream about those kids and can’t imagine how their mothers feel. The least the government can do is provide security. We beg them,” she said.
Nursing mother Precious Jonathan, who brought her one-year-old baby to the protest, explained that she joined for the sake of her child and future children. “I want a better Nigeria for all of us. The government should remember us and give us a better nation. The other day, as I closed windows and wrapped my baby during heavy rain, I instantly thought of the children out in the bush,” she said tearfully.
Businessman Ayodeji Ojo called for immediate action, not just negotiations. “We need action, not talks. If we keep negotiating slowly, they will keep coming back for us, and we don’t know who’s next. If we remain passive, your family or mine could be next,” he warned.
The protesters demanded the closure of all schools until security challenges are resolved and the kidnapped children are freed. They argued that terrorists and kidnappers will never change, urging the government to take firm action to save the children.
A strong police presence was observed at the protest site. One officer said they were there to ensure the demonstration remained peaceful and was not exploited by criminals.