Public schools across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State were shut on Monday, halting academic activities.
The development followed a directive from the National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Abuja.
The leadership had directed its members nationwide to embark on peaceful protests to demand the release of kidnapped students and teachers of both public and private schools in Ahoro Esienle, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
In compliance with the national directive, public schools in the 11 local government areas of Ibadan were locked. Students of some schools in Molete, Orita Challenge, New Garage and Odo-Ona areas were forced to return home.
However, only SS3 students writing their terminal examinations were allowed into school premises.
Additionally, a group of concerned citizens staged a peaceful protest, converging at Mokola before marching through major roads leading to Gate, drawing the attention of residents, commuters and business owners along the route.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the demonstrators expressed outrage over the incident and called for immediate action to secure the release of the abducted students and teachers.
Protesters repeatedly chanted, “Bring back our children!” and “Enough is enough!”, demanding a response from security agencies and government at all levels.
Speaking during the protest, one of the protesters, Mrs Esther Olowokere, said, “They are innocent children and teachers whose only crime was going to school. We cannot continue to live in fear while our schools become targets. The government must act decisively and ensure their safe return.”
Another protester, who craved anonymity, lamented the growing insecurity affecting educational institutions, stating, “Every child deserves to learn in a safe environment. We are here today because we refuse to remain silent while families suffer and communities live in uncertainty.”
The demonstrators urged authorities to intensify search and rescue efforts, improve security around schools, and bring those responsible for the attack to justice.
The protest, according to one teacher who craved anonymity, is in solidarity with the kidnapped teachers and students of Ahoro Esienle community.
“We cannot imagine the pains and agonies of the kidnapped students and their teachers in the past 18 days. Our appeal is for both the federal and state governments to expedite action on their release,” he noted.