Protesters lock down major Ibadan roads over kidnapping crisis

By Adeola Badru

Major parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, were brought to a standstill on Monday as protesters blocked the busy Iwo Road interchange in demonstration against rising insecurity and the growing wave of kidnappings in the state.

The protest, which began around 10 a.m., was organised by the Take It Back Movement, a human rights advocacy group. The demonstrators occupied the strategic junction, disrupting traffic along one of the city’s busiest transport routes.

The protesters called on the government to take urgent steps to tackle insecurity and secure the release of 39 abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.

Public outrage has continued to mount over the abduction, which occurred in Orire Local Government Area in May and remains unresolved.

Speaking during the protest, the National Coordinator of the movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the demonstration was part of a sustained campaign launched after the kidnapping of the pupils and their teachers.

According to him, the group would continue its actions until all victims regain their freedom.

“We will continue to protest for the release of all abducted victims until they are free. Government officials remain in the comfort of their offices while innocent students and their teachers are languishing in kidnappers’ dens,” he said.

The protesters, who carried placards and banners demanding an end to kidnappings, accused authorities of failing to take decisive action to rescue those still in captivity.

Sanyaolu further stressed that the campaign was not limited to Oyo State, noting that the group was demanding the release of all abducted persons across the country.

“We are demanding freedom for all captives in the North, South, East and West of Nigeria,” he added.

He also criticised Nigeria’s political leadership, accusing politicians of focusing on the 2027 elections while security challenges continue to threaten lives.

“We will not wait until 2027. By then, we do not know how many people will still be alive. That is why we are here in Ibadan, where the abduction occurred. Both the state and federal governments must act or continue to face mass protests,” he said.

The protest caused severe traffic congestion around the Iwo Road axis, leaving many commuters stranded for hours as security operatives monitored the situation.

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