By George OPARA
Palpable anger in Oyo state on Monday has culminated into a street protest by members of Take-It-Back Movement in Ibadan that happened simultaneously with a total shutdown of public schools premised on the kidnap of pupils and teachers in Oriire local government area.
Spear News Nigeria gathered that the protest, staged at the Mokola Roundabout in Ibadan, invoked memories and attention to the ongoing captivity of victims kidnapped during the recent attack on schools in the Ahoro-Esiele axis of Oriire council area.
Protesters who cordoned off the busy junction in the state capital, called on government authorities and security agencies to double their efforts in the rescue of the kidnapped pupils and teachers.
They also demanded a quick action to curb the recent uptick in crimes and criminalities in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
The demonstrators held placards with various inscriptions, showing deep concern over the growing rate of insecurity targeted at farmers, traders, students, and residents across communities.
A random sight at the placards read: “Security for all, not for a few”, “Government must end kidnapping in Oyo State”, “We demand safer roads and communities”, “Protect farmers, traders and students”, and “Peace, security and justice”.
In a reaction while the protest lasted, one of the demonstrators said citizens were frustrated through the wave successive wave of violent crimes.
In his words, “Let them know that the people of Nigeria are not at peace. Let them know that the people of Oyo State are not smiling. Let them know that Nigerian people are fed up with insecurity”.
Spear News Nigeria recalls that the protest erupted amid growing outrage over the kidnap of pupils, students, and teachers in armed attacks on schools in the Ahoro-Esiele community of Oriire council area.
It would be recalled that armed men attacked Community Grammar School, L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esiele, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, near Ogbomoso, on May 15, whisking away pupils and teachers over which two persons killed.
The relations of the victims have, hitherto, been appealing to the state government and security agencies to intensity efforts to rescue them as anxiety grows in the concerned communities.
Similarly, there was a protest in the public primary and secondary schools in the state on Monday, calling for indefinite strike in compliance with a directive from the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), summarily shutting down academic activities statewide.
Investigation indicated a full obedience to directive across Ibadan and other parts of the state, including Oyo, Ogbomoso, Iseyin, Saki, Eruwa, and Igboora.
Spear News gathered that scores of students who went to schools as early as 7:45 a.m. were turned back, while only West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) candidates and teachers designated to invigilation duties were permitted into the school premises.
Teachers across the state confirmed adherence to the directive, describing it as a solidarity action with affected communities and colleagues.
“We are all complying in solidarity with the affected teachers, pupils and their families. We pray that the abducted victims will regain their freedom and return home safely”.
Reliable sources told Spear News Nigeria that the directive for the shutdown of schools was effective in the state as academic activities were paralyzed.
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