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Scores of Nigerians took to the streets of Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, accusing the government of “pampering bandits” as they demanded the immediate release of dozens of schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped in Oyo State more than two weeks ago.
The demonstration, organised by the Take-It-Back Movement, came as families of the 46 victims, including children as young as two years old, entered their third week of agonising wait. One teacher has died in captivity since the May 15 attack on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area near Ogbomoso.
One participant alleged that security agencies track ordinary citizens more effectively than they pursue armed groups.
“If you are a faceless person, you post on Facebook or any social media, they will track you down under 24 hours. They cannot track bandits that will go live, that will post their ammunition, that will post all the ransom they are collecting,” the man said.
He also accused the government of leniency toward bandits.
“The federal government is pampering bandits and going after innocent citizens.”
The same individual claimed that authorities know the sponsors of banditry but have not acted against them.
“The Nigerian government knows them. If they want to track them down today, they will track them down. They need to stop encouraging bandits. They need to stop sponsoring bandits. Track them down. Go after them. Eliminate them. Bring back our children. Bring back the teachers.”
Another demonstrator, who gave his name as Ayo, expressed frustration with the frequency of abductions across the country.
“This kidnapping did not start today. It has been happening. Unfortunately, it has skyrocketed in the regime of Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Ayo said.
“This kidnapping did not start today. It has been happening,” Ayo said.
“Unfortunately, it has skyrocketed in the regime of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
According to him, the number of kidnapping victims in the past three years exceeds the total from the previous 12 years.
“The number of people that have been kidnapped for the past three years is more than the entire 12 years when this kidnapping of children started.”
He also noted that abductions have continued in multiple states, including Kwara, Ekiti, Kogi and Borno.
Victor Mbadike, a News Central reporter at the scene, told Jasiri that police officers deployed to the site to prevent any disruption of the demonstration.
“In terms of security provisions, they are already on ground to ensure that the protest is not hijacked by hoodlums,” Mbadike said.
He described the gathering as peaceful and commended the Lagos State Police Command for providing security.
The Lagos demonstration follows similar protests in Ibadan, Osun State and other locations, with organisers planning to extend actions across the 36 states.
Protesters say the campaign will continue until authorities secure the release of the victims.
