A nursery and primary school in Abule Egba, Lagos, Wise-Up School on Wednesday embarked on day two of its peaceful protest aimed at drawing government’s attention to insecurity in the nation.
Parents, teachers and pupils gathered peacefully in front of the school premises carrying banners with different inscriptions.
Speaking during the protest, Mrs Adaaku Chibuike-Ochuwa, a Parent and lawyer, said that the protest was to demand urgent government action for the release of the children and teachers abducted in Oyo State.
The abduction occurred on May 15, 2026 at Ahoro-Esin-Ile and Yawota communities within Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
It involved 39 students and seven teachers, who have since been held captive in the forest.
Mrs Adaaku Chibuike-Ochuwa said: “We are here to represent the school in protesting for the children that were kidnapped and asking the government to do what it needs to do to bring back these children and teachers.
“We know that government is trying but we want it to intensify its commitment to bring back those abducted people. Children are the future of this country and we are concerned,” Chibuike-Ochuwa said.
Mr Oluwagbemiga Olowu, another parent, stressed that banditry had long existed and must be tackled.
“We came to urge the government to do all within its power to save our children and teachers inside the forest.
“Government is working but until the abducted children and teachers are released, they must not rest,” Olowu appealed.
He said that the security agencies must do more to ensure security in the nation, adding that citizens must be able to sleep with their two eyes closed.
Mrs Ozioma Oyi-Obute, the Human Resources Manager of the school, said that schools should be safe places for learning.
“Children should come to school happy, learn, and return home safely.
“Bandits targeting schools is unjustifiable,” she said.
Oyi-Obute condemned the trauma being caused by viral videos of the treatment being meted out to the captives by their abductors.
“I saw a child tied with a stone, these videos are traumatising.
“Teachers sacrifice a lot in spite of their poor pay. Government must do all it can to secure their release.” She said.
Mrs Tolulope Oyekanmi, Head Teacher, explained that insecurity had left families sleepless.
“As a mother with a four-year-old child, I keep imagining her age mates in the bush, it is disheartening, ” she said.
Mrs Adejoke Oyebanjo, a Teacher, described the situation as heartbreaking, saying she kept on crying anytime she thought of the situation.
“We plead with government to do all it can for the release of the abducted alive.
“Seeing the little ones tied and crying is unbearable. No child deserves such trauma, government must act urgently to save them,” she said.
