Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, in Osun State have used the 33rd anniversary of June 12 to draw attention to rising security concerns across Nigeria.
This is as the CSOs staged a peaceful procession through major parts of Osogbo on Friday.
Members of several advocacy groups, including the Osun Civil Societies Coalition, Take It Back Movement, Coalition Against Insecurity and Bad Governance, and the Federation of Informal Workers Organisations of Nigeria, called for improved safety and protection of citizens while marching through key roads in the state capital.
The procession began in the Ayetoro area of Osogbo and moved through Igbonna, Olonkoro, Old Garage, Oke-Fia and Olaiya, attracting the attention of residents and traders along the route.
Participants, who carried placards and sang solidarity songs, used the occasion to express concern over incidents of insecurity affecting communities across the country.
Speaking during a stop at Igbonna, activist Kola Ibrahim said the march was organised to highlight the growing fears among citizens.
He stated that the protest was motivated by “the increasing insecurity in the country and the need for authorities to address the situation.”
The groups said the June 12 anniversary provided an opportunity to remind leaders of the importance of protecting lives and ensuring that the democratic rights and safety of Nigerians remained a priority.