NANS mobilises nationwide protest over kidnapped Oyo students, teachers

The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Akinteye Babatunde, has announced plans to mobilise members and allied groups for a solidarity and advocacy rally in Oyo State over the abduction of students and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

In an invitation sent to NANS structures nationwide on Friday, Babatunde described the continued captivity of the victims as disturbing and unacceptable, saying Nigerian students can no longer remain silent while pupils and teachers remain in the hands of kidnappers.

He said the planned rally is aimed at pressuring security agencies and relevant authorities to intensify efforts toward the immediate rescue of the abducted victims.

According to him, the mobilisation will include visits to affected schools, including Community High School/Grammar School, Ahoro-Esiele; L.A. Primary School, Ahoro-Esiele; and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, all in the affected community.

He added that participants will also visit the Oyo State Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) before embarking on a peaceful protest walk in Ibadan.

The solidarity and advocacy rally is scheduled for Monday, June 1, 2026.

Babatunde urged NANS chapters, student leaders, activists, stakeholders, and Nigerians to support the movement and demand the safe release of the abducted students and teachers.

He said, “I write at this critical and defining juncture to invite all NANS structures, sister unions, stakeholders, and leaders to a solidarity movement in Oyo State.”

He added that the protest was necessitated by what he described as the prolonged hostage situation following the attack in Oriire Local Government Area.

He said, “It has been two weeks since this cruel act was perpetrated, and till this day, the abducted students and teachers are yet to be rescued.”

Gunmen had earlier attacked Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, and Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Oriire, abducting 39 students and seven teachers.

During the attack, a teacher identified as Michael Oyedokun was reportedly killed, while a two-year-old child, Christianah Akanbi, was also among those abducted.