A group of armed men, alleged to be members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) attacked a peaceful protest in Ibadan, Oyo State for demanding the release of pupils and teachers abducted from schools in the state on May 15, 2026.
The protest, organised by the Take It Back Movement (TIB) together with students, teachers and civil society groups, began on 1 June 2026 and continued the following day under the banner #BringBackOurChildren. It formed part of a chain of protests across the country, including in Lagos, Abuja, Ogun, Delta, Kwara and Cross River states, demanding the release of abducted teachers, students and other victims nationwide and calling on the government to address worsening insecurity and abductions across the country.
On May 15, 2026, armed men raided three schools, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esiele, and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, near Ogbomoso in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting about 39 pupils and seven teachers and killing two people. The victims have since remained in captivity, despite efforts by security agencies and appeals from their families for their safe release.
The peaceful protest turned violent when hoodlums, alleged to be members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by the National President, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Student Matters Victor Olojede, attacked protesters, even after Afeez had, before the protest, told NANS, to partake in the protest to show solidarity.
One of the organisers, Adeyeye Olorunfemi told the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) that gunshots were heard during the incident, forcing many protesters to flee. Several protesters were assaulted during the chaos, while personal belongings, including mobile phones, were allegedly stolen and vehicles were also vandalised in the course of the disturbance.
According to Olorunfemi, the violence brought the demonstration to an abrupt end as participants dispersed in different directions to avoid further attacks. He added that protesters were nursing varying degrees of injuries and property loss.
The incident drew condemnation from the Coalition of Rights Groups, a group of civil societies and rights organisations, including TIB, who describe the incident as an attack on peaceful assembly. In a letter to the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, on 6 June 2026, the coalition petitioned the police, demanding an urgent investigation into the violent attack on peaceful protesters in Ibadan on 2 June 2026.
The MFWA condemns the incident and commends the Coalition of Rights Groups for petitioning the Oyo State Police Command. The MFWA supports the coalition’s demands and urges the Police to investigate the attack and sanction all those responsible. The MFWA urges the Oyo State authorities to ensure adequate remedies for victims who suffered injuries, theft, or property damage.
The MFWA also calls on the Nigerian government to guarantee the safety of citizens exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and urges security agencies to intensify efforts to protect them.
