By Democracy Day celebration in Nigeria took a different turn in Ibadan on Friday, June 12, as residents, activists, and civil society groups took to the streets to demand the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and call for an end to insecurity across the country.
The protesters, drawn from organisations including the Take It Back Movement (TIB) and the Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neoliberal Attacks (ANSA), marched through major roads in the city from Challenge Roundabout through Molete and Oje Market before ending the demonstration at the Gate axis.
The protest comes 28 days after armed men attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area including Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community High School, and L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esinle, and abducted dozens of pupils and teachers. A teacher and a commercial motorcyclist were also killed during the attack, while another teacher, Mr. Oyedokun Michael, was killed in captivity a few days later.
The protesters demanded the immediate release of the abducted victims, an end to kidnapping and insecurity, improved governance, economic relief for citizens, and protection of freedom of expression.
Speaking with AfrikTimes, the National Coordinator of the Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neoliberal Attacks, Joshua Oladipo, said the demonstration was organised to demand a more inclusive democracy and to remind the government of its responsibility to secure the release of the abducted victims.
“We are here this morning because today is a significant day in the history of Nigeria. Everyone knows the history of June 12 and the reason why we are here is to remind the government that we need a real democracy that protects the lives and property of Nigerian citizens. A democracy that provides free and quality education at all levels. A democracy that gives citizens the guarantee to live as citizens of their country.
“The second reason we are out today is to mount pressure on the government for the Oriire 47 students and teachers who were abducted in Ogbomoso on May 15. We are calling on the government to ensure that they are released from the kidnappers’ den. What we witnessed with Adelabu’s relatives is what we can call class solidarity where the Nigerian Police and the DSS ensured that they release them from the kidnappers’ den.
“We are out today to remind the government of its constitutional duties to make sure that these people are free from captivity, and ultimately there is an end to insecurity in the country,” he said.
Also speaking, human rights activist and Oyo State Chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC), Kayode Babayemi, expressed dissatisfaction with the country’s security and economic situation, urging public officials to step aside if they can no longer effectively govern.
“Let them know that Nigerians are not happy with the state of things. We have the resources to take care of the Nigerian people. Go and see the way people are being maltreated in South Africa. It’s because of the situation of the country. That is why they left their country to look for greener pastures elsewhere. We cannot continue like this. If the government doesn’t know what to do about it, they should resign. Until the country is secured and at peace, nobody will keep mute or be silent any longer,” he told AfrikTimes.
A member of the Take It Back Movement, Gift Precious, said the recurring incidents of kidnapping across Nigeria have left many citizens living in fear.
“Today happens to be June 12, a supposed Democracy Day. A day to celebrate democracy and freedom. But looking at today, we have children and teachers in the bush. This is not the first time it’s happening. The case in Oriire is not the first. It has happened in Borno, Maiduguri, Kwara, Ondo, and in different states across Nigeria. The more we keep quiet, the closer it is to our doorsteps.
“We are not safe. We are not even practising that democracy. We are not sure if we will get home safely after leaving this place. We cannot guarantee that our brother who left home to work will come back safely. Children can’t go to school freely. Parents would have to check the time to be sure they will come back safely. We cannot sleep with our eyes closed. And that’s why we are out on the street and so far, the protest has been peaceful,” she added.
AfrikTimes gathered that similar demonstrations were held in several parts of the country, including Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as citizens marked Democracy Day with calls for improved security and governance.
