Schoolchildren and teachers in Bayelsa State have joined the nationwide protest against the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State, demanding the immediate rescue of victims still held by kidnappers.
Viral videos circulating on social media on Tuesday showed pupils of Community Primary School, Isoni, in Sagbama Local Government Area, and students of Government Secondary School, Aleibiri, in Ekeremor Local Government Area, marching and chanting solidarity songs in support of the abducted victims.
The protesters called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of the kidnapped teachers and students. Speaking during the demonstration, protest leader Alex Egbagara appealed to the presidency to listen to the concerns of affected communities and ensure the safe return of return of those in captivity
The Bayelsa protests coincided with demonstrations organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers across several states following the continued detention of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as concerns over insecurity in educational institutions continue to grow nationwide.