There was gridlock at the popular Iwo Road area of Ibadan on Monday morning as protesters under the Take It Back Movement barricaded the major road to demand urgent government action on insecurity and the release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
The protest, which began around 10 a.m., saw demonstrators carrying placards and banners calling for the immediate release of all abducted victims.
The action follows the abduction of 39 pupils and teachers in Orire Local Government Area in May, an incident that has sparked widespread outrage across the state.
National Coordinator of the movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, said the protest was a continuation of earlier actions by the group since the abduction.
“We will continue to protest for the release of all abducted victims until they are free,” he said.
He accused government officials of complacency, alleging that they were “in the comfort of their homes and offices while innocent students and their teachers are languishing in captivity.”
“We are demanding freedom for all captives across the North, South, West and East of Nigeria,” he added.
Sanyaolu also criticised political leaders for focusing on the 2027 elections while insecurity persists in the country.
“We will not be sitting until 2027. By that time, we may not even know how many will be alive,” he said.
He warned that both state and federal governments must take urgent action or continue to face mass protests.
The protest reflects growing public frustration over insecurity and the fate of abducted victims, with activists pledging to sustain demonstrations until decisive government action is taken.