Hordes of protesters hit the streets in Ogbomoso on Friday, chanting that markets and roads will be shut down from Monday over the delayed rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers from communities in Oyo State.

Marching through Agboin Street in Ogbomoso town with banners, the protesters demanded the swift rescue of the abductees, vowing to shut down markets, roads, and commercial activities in the town from Monday.

Dressed in all black, a protester with a megaphone called on all Ogbomoso residents to come out and not remain indifferent while their kinsmen languish in captivity.

“Come out, all sons and daughters of Ogbomoso. We must not sleep over this matter. Come out in solidarity. There shall be no buying and selling in the entire Ogbomoso on Monday,” he said.

Other protesters also called on other residents of Ogbomoso to join the protest and demand the quick release of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers.

Earlier in the week, the Soun of Ogbomoso, Ọba Ghandi Ọláoyè, had called for calm, saying military forces could not be deployed against the abductors to avoid collateral damage. 

For over 20 days, schoolchildren and teachers abducted from the Esienle and Yawota communities in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have been in captivity. 

Their abduction has sparked protests in major cities in the country, including Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Plateau and Bayelsa, while the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has directed its members to down tools in protest.