By A peaceful protest staged in Ibadan by activists, residents, and concerned Nigerians calling for the release of pupils, students, and teachers abducted by suspected bandits in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026, was disrupted by unidentified hoodlums on Tuesday.
The protest, which commenced on Monday, continued in the early hours of Tuesday as demonstrators maintained pressure on authorities over the continued captivity of the victims. The protesters insisted that they would continue to make their grievances known until the Oyo State Government addresses their concerns and provides updates on efforts to secure the release of those abducted.
Groups that participated in the demonstration included the #TakeItBack Movement, the Ratel Movement, and residents of Ibadan, all of whom joined the protest in solidarity with the kidnapped victims and their families.
The protest converged at Mokola Roundabout before proceeding through major parts of the city. Demonstrators marched from the Mokola axis to Sango and continued along the Bodija and University of Ibadan routes. The protesters spent some time in front of the University of Ibadan before turning back towards the Oyo State Government Secretariat.
However, the peaceful procession was interrupted while protesters were moving along the Bodija road leading to the Secretariat. According to Afriktimes Correspondent on the field, a group of unidentified hoodlums suddenly appeared from the opposite direction and blocked the path of the demonstrators.
Afriktimes Correspondence from the scene reported that some members of the group were suspected to be carrying firearms. A gunshot was allegedly fired into the air, triggering panic among protesters and causing many to flee in different directions. The incident suddenly brought the demonstration to a halt.
The correspondent confirmed that some protesters who attempted to resist the disruption or continue the march were attacked by the unidentified individuals. The hoodlums were said to have emerged unexpectedly, creating confusion and forcing participants to abandon the procession.
As of the time this report was filed, no verified information had emerged regarding the identity or affiliation of the hoodlums. There was also no concrete evidence establishing who was responsible for the disruption.
Amid the confusion, speculation circulated that some members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) were sighted among the group. However, this claim remained unverified at the time of reporting, and no official statement had been issued to confirm the allegation. The motive behind the disruption also remained unclear.
Another concern raised by protesters was the absence of an official response from the Oyo State Government. Demonstrators noted that despite maintaining their presence around the Government Secretariat since Monday, no formal address had been made by any arm of the state government regarding their demands or the situation surrounding the abducted victims.
The Ibadan protest formed part of a broader campaign demanding the immediate release of the abducted pupils, students, and teachers. Similar demonstrations were also held in other parts of the country, including Lagos and Abuja, as Nigerians continued to call for urgent action to secure the freedom of those still in captivity.
