Dare Babalola
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has threatened to mobilise protesters to occupy the Presidential Villa if the Federal Government fails to secure the release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State.
In a post on X on Saturday, Sowore expressed frustration over the continued detention of the victims, warning that citizens could be forced to take direct action should the government and security agencies fail to bring them home safely.
“If Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his service chiefs fail to track down and secure the release of the abducted Oyo schoolchildren and other kidnapped people, we will have no choice but to occupy Aso Rock Villa this week,” he wrote.
Sowore’s threat comes amid growing concern over the fate of dozens of pupils and teachers kidnapped during coordinated attacks on schools in the Ogbomoso axis of Oyo State earlier this month.
The outrage intensified after a distress video surfaced online showing the abducted vice principal of Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinle, Oriire Local Government Area, Mrs Folawe Alamu, pleading with authorities to negotiate with the kidnappers for their release.
In the video, Alamu, who appeared visibly distressed, said the victims had spent nearly two weeks in captivity under harsh conditions, exposed to rain, sun and cold weather in the forest.
She appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, the Nigeria Union of Teachers and other Nigerians to intervene through dialogue rather than force.
According to her, a recent rescue attempt by security operatives worsened the situation, with the kidnappers allegedly threatening to kill one of the captives in retaliation.
The abduction occurred on May 15 when armed attackers riding motorcycles stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Esiele, all within Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The attacks left at least two people dead, including an assistant headmaster identified as Mr Adesiyan and a commercial motorcyclist. Governor Makinde later disclosed that 25 pupils and seven teachers were abducted during the incident, while another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly killed by the gunmen.
The governor subsequently stated that his administration was open to negotiations to secure the safe release of the victims, noting that the state government was prepared to consider the kidnappers’ demands where possible.
President Tinubu had earlier condemned the attacks and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abductees and apprehend those responsible.
However, with the victims still in captivity more than two weeks after the incident, pressure continues to mount on both federal and state authorities to secure their release and address the growing wave of kidnappings targeting schools and rural communities across the country.
