By Opeyemi Adelakun
Traffic was brought to a standstill in parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday as protesters blocked the strategic Iwo Road interchange, demanding the immediate rescue of dozens of abducted schoolchildren and teachers still in captivity.
The demonstration, led by the Take It Back Movement, paralysed vehicular movement around one of the city’s busiest transport hubs, leaving commuters stranded and causing lengthy traffic congestion across adjoining roads.
The protesters, who converged on the area at about 10 a.m., carried banners condemning worsening insecurity and calling on both the Federal Government and Oyo State Government to intensify efforts toward securing the release of 39 pupils and their teachers abducted in Orire Local Government Area in May.
Speaking during the protest, National Coordinator of the movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the action was part of an ongoing campaign to keep public attention on the plight of the victims and other Nigerians held by kidnappers across the country.
According to him, the group would continue mobilising citizens until all abducted persons regain their freedom.
“We will continue to protest until every abducted victim is released. Government officials remain comfortable in their offices while innocent children and teachers are still in kidnappers’ camps,” he said.
Sanyaolu argued that insecurity had become a national emergency requiring urgent action rather than political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He criticised political leaders for focusing on future electoral contests while families of kidnapped victims continue to endure uncertainty and trauma.
“We will not wait until 2027. Nobody knows how many of these captives will still be alive by then. That is why we have taken this protest to the heart of Ibadan, where this tragic abduction occurred. Governments at all levels must act decisively or face continued mass action from citizens,” he added.
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