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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
Protesters took to the streets of Abuja for the second time as the African Action Congress (AAC) and its allied movement marched through the city centre, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted across the country.
Led by human rights activist and AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, the demonstrators moved from Eagle Square through major thoroughfares, including Shehu Shagari Way, Adetokubo Ademola Crescent and Aminu Kano Way.
Security was visibly heightened across access routes to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, with a combined deployment of anti-riot police, military personnel and other security agencies cordoning off the main gates of the State House and the entire Three-Arms Zone.
Entry to the premises was restricted to holders of State House identification, with security personnel turning back others who attempted to approach.
Participants carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “Release our children and teachers unconditionally.” “Teachers deserve security, not fear.” “End the reign of fear in our schools,” “Tinubu, rescue the children,” and “School should be a sanctuary, not a crime scene.”
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Addressing the crowd, Sowore issued a direct challenge to President Bola Tinubu, demanding the safe return of the abducted victims or his resignation for failing in the fundamental duty of protecting Nigerian lives.
“You cannot claim to be President of Nigeria and then refuse to do the job of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. We are not here to beg anybody. We are just asking people who claim they are elected to protect Nigerians to do their work,” he said.
Sowore also took aim at the heavy security presence deployed to contain the march, arguing that the same resources could be better used to protect schools. He appealed directly to security agents: “Your children are also in schools. If the school becomes a ground for kidnapping, one day your children too will be kidnapped.”
The protest was triggered by the May 15, 2026, abductions of approximately 39 students and seven teachers from three schools—Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School—in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State. On the same day, 42 pupils were abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba, Borno State.
In response, the federal government on Sunday dispatched a high-powered delegation to the affected Oyo communities, led by Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila and comprising the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff. President Tinubu also approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards and the deployment of a specialised rescue unit.
