Parents, teachers, and students of Wise Up School, a privately-owned school in Abule Egba, Lagos State, on Tuesday staged a peaceful protest, demanding urgent government action over the May 15 kidnappings in Oyo State.

The abduction occurred in Ahoro-Esin-Ile and Yawota communities within Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

It involved 39 students and seven teachers, who have been held captive in the forest for weeks without adequate care.

Their families remain deeply traumatised and are demanding an urgent rescue operation, as well as stronger national security measures.

Mr Shedrach Oyi-Obute, Director of Wise Up School, said: “We have been patient enough with the government. Social media posts have failed; now, we will protest daily until our voices are heard.”

He explained that the school, known for teaching leadership and global citizenship, decided to take the lead in amplifying the voices of those silenced in captivity.

He said the protest was a call for justice and action.

Oyi-Obute added that they would escalate the protest to Alausa Government House if no action was taken by the weekend.

He emphasised that the management of the school would not relent until the kidnapped children and teachers were released.

Mrs Rosemary Babatunde, Head of Academics, lamented: “Children as young as two years old are sleeping in unsafe forests.”

She said trauma was inevitable and urged the government to act.

Babatunde added that the school management initiated the protest independently but expressed confidence that other schools and communities would join the protest for humanity’s sake.

Mr Temitope Ajiboye, a teacher, described the situation as unfortunate, noting that both children and teachers were being held in captivity.

He emphasised that education must be safe and accessible, urging government intervention.

Ajiboye said that if no positive steps were taken, “the protest will continue until our voices are heard,” and called on the authorities to ensure the safe release of the abducted victims.

Mrs Oluwaseun Lasekan, another teacher, said the children had been held in harsh conditions for over two weeks.

She stressed that the government had the capacity to secure their release and must act urgently.

She explained that the protest, though small in number, represented a collective plea from pupils, teachers, and parents.

Lasekan vowed that the demonstrations would continue until the children were reunited with their families.

Mrs Aisha Ojumu said no child deserved to be held captive and that no teacher should die for educating others.

She urged the government to act swiftly, stressing that the future of the nation depends on the safety of its children.

Miss Daniella Adefowora, a pupil and Assistant Environmental Prefect, pleaded with the government to save the children and teachers.

She said the protest was a call for urgent action and rescue.

Another student, Miss Onyenchi Chibuike-Ochuwa, remarked that children were the leaders of tomorrow.

She appealed to the government to ensure their release and protect the future of education.

Miss Oluwafoyinsolami Boboye, a seven-year-old pupil, expressed pity for the captives, saying she would not eat until the children and teachers were rescued.

Her vow underscored the depth of concern among the young protesters.

The protesters vowed to continue their daily demonstrations, warning that if no action was taken by the end of the week, they would march to Alausa Government House.

(NAN)