A wave of student and teacher abductions has triggered widespread demonstrations by educators and local residents across Borno, Oyo, and Ogun states. The coordinated demonstrations follow a directive from the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), which called on members across the country to stage peaceful protests demanding the immediate release of all captives.

Oyo State: Classrooms Shut Down and Street Rallies Evoked

​Public schools across all 33 local government areas in Oyo State were completely shut down as teachers embarked on a strike. The industrial action was prompted by the recent kidnapping of students and faculty members in the Ahoro-Esiele community, located within the Oriire Local Council.

​In the state capital of Ibadan, school gates were locked, forcing younger pupils back home, though final-year secondary students were permitted access to sit for their terminal examinations.

​Alongside the academic shutdown, civil rights groups—including the Take-It-Back Movement—staged a street protest starting at the Mokola Roundabout. Demonstrators marched through major commercial roads carrying placards that called for secure learning environments, safer roads, and protection for farmers and traders. Amid the ongoing crisis, it was reported that Michael Oyedokun, a Mathematics teacher snatched from Community Grammar School, was killed by the terrorists.

​Borno State: Residents Condemn Government's Unequal Rescue Response

​In the North-East, community leaders and activists in Borno State expressed sharp grievances over what they perceive as an unfair and uneven response from federal authorities. Local stakeholders highlighted a stark double standard in how different regional crises are handled.

​According to Abubakar Suleiman, the Chairman of Borno Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the federal government quickly deployed a high-powered security delegation—including the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Minister of Defence—to Oyo State via helicopter immediately after the abductions there.

​In contrast, Borno leaders pointed out that the government has maintained total silence regarding mass abductions in their own backyard. This includes the kidnapping of roughly 416 people in Ngoshe on May 3, and a subsequent incident on May 16 where 48 basic school pupils were taken from the Mussa community in the Askira Uba Local Council. Local advocacy groups are demanding that federal authorities treat all victims equally and scale up search-and-rescue efforts without geographic discrimination.

​Ogun State: Citizens Rally in Solidarity Against Insecurity

​The public outcry extended into neighboring Ogun State, where crowds of young people and nursing mothers took to the streets of Abeokuta. Gathering at the Panseke skating ground, the protesters carried placards demanding an end to banditry, terrorism, and the targeting of school children.

​Spokespersons at the rally emphasized that citizens across the board are living in fear, warning that the unrelenting wave of kidnappings is crippling local businesses and pushing the country toward a dangerous breaking point.