June 12: Rescue Oyo pupils, other kidnap victims, protesters tell Tinubu

Demands for stronger action against insecurity and the rescue of all abducted Nigerians, especially the pupils and teachers kidnapped from schools in Oyo State, dominated the messages of pro-democracy activists who staged protests across the country on Friday to mark June 12 Democracy Day.

The protests, which cut across several states, saw activists decry what they described as worsening insecurity, economic hardship and a declining democratic culture in the country.

This came as opposition parties criticised President Bola Tinubu over worsening insecurity, saying citizens were increasingly exposed to violence, kidnappings and other criminal activities.

In their separate messages, some governors, including Muhammadu Yahaya (Gombe), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), and Hyacinth Alia (Benue) reaffirmed their commitments to end insecurity and promote democracy.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, who participated in the June 12 rally in Lagos, said the protest was organised not only to demand the rescue of the abducted victims but also to draw attention to broader issues affecting Nigerians.

He said, “We are protesting the kidnapping of our children in Oyo State. We are also protesting injustice in our country, a situation whereby innocent schoolchildren in Oyo and Borno states have been in the custody of criminals for several weeks now.

“We are also protesting the injustice meted out to young people who are regularly arrested on the highways by the police.

“We are also protesting hunger in the land, poverty in the land, and we are calling on the government to realise that there is no basis for poverty in Nigeria. Our country has enormous material, natural and capital resources to make our people happy.”

Falana said the abducted children and teachers were enduring difficult conditions in captivity.

“Those kids are suffering. There is no medical attention and no food for them. And so, for us as Nigerians, all of us are in custody, one way or the other. We demand the immediate release of those children and their teachers,” he said.

Meanwhile, 12 human rights organisations in Osun State, under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups, Activists and Trade Unionists, demanded urgent action against insecurity in the state.

The groups, which included the Centre for Sustained Dialogue, Osun State Civil Societies Coalition, Democratic Socialist Movement, Take It Back Movement and the Federation of Informal Workers Organisations of Nigeria, converged at the Ayetoro area before marching through Old Garage to Olaiya Junction, where their leaders addressed journalists.

Addressing journalists during the protest, Osun State Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Victor Lijofi, said the country’s democracy was “derailing” and urged governments at all levels to act decisively on the worsening security situation.

“We demand the immediate rescue of the school pupils abducted in Oyo State. Nigeria’s democracy is derailing, and we warn the Federal Government to act fast. Nigeria is drifting dangerously. Tinubu can’t watch as if nothing is happening,” Lijofi said.

Kwara activists give govt 72 hours to rescue victims

Meanwhile, members of the Take-It-Back Movement on Friday issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Kwara State Government to secure the release of residents abducted across various communities in the state, as they staged a peaceful protest in Ilorin, the state capital.

The protest, which commenced at Tanke Junction area of the metropolis at about 7:00am, moved through major roads before terminating at the Government House along Ahmadu Bello Way.

The demonstrators, led by the State Coordinator of the movement, Saidu Tsaragi, said the worsening insecurity in parts of the state had made the Democracy Day celebrations meaningless for families whose loved ones remain in captivity.

They stated that the group would intensify its actions if the government failed to secure the release of abducted persons within 72 hours.

“If the government fails to rescue the victims within 72 hours, we will mobilise across Kwara State. We are also calling on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on insecurity in the state,” some of the protesters said in different interviews with our correspondent.

Addressing protesters in front of the Government House, Musa alleged that some individuals attempted to disrupt the demonstration but insisted that the group would not be intimidated.

He said, “We have been outside since 7:00am to occupy the Government House, but unfortunately, some thugs came to attack us. However, we are not backing down.

“Our mission is simple: rescue our people. Our mothers, fathers, and children are in kidnappers’ dens. Seven people from Yaashikira are currently with kidnappers, while several others from Edu, Patigi, and communities in Kwara South are still in captivity.”

He lamented that many local government areas in the state had become unsafe due to recurring abductions and attacks.

“Our local government areas are under siege. We are simply asking Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to rescue the victims or resign. Our demand is clear and straightforward,” he added.

Democracy remains strongest path to devt, says Yahaya

Commenting on June 12, Yahaya, who is the Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, described democracy as the most dependable pathway to sustainable development.

Yahaya, in a Democracy Day message by the Director-General (Press Affairs) of Government House, Ismaila Misilli, said the steady growth recorded in Gombe validated the benefits of uninterrupted democratic governance.

He highlighted achievements in infrastructure, healthcare, education, agriculture, environmental management and industrialisation, attributing them to deliberate policies, institutional stability and citizen participation.

The governor acknowledged challenges facing the country but noted that 27 years of uninterrupted civilian rule remained a remarkable achievement.

The governor also urged journalists and citizens to reject fake news and divisive rhetoric, stressing that democracy remains the foundation for peace, participation, development and national progress.

Plateau won’t negotiate with terrorists, says Mutfwang

In his message, Mutfwang, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting democratic institutions and safeguarding citizens, declaring that his government would not negotiate with terrorists.

Speaking during a Democracy Day event in Jos, Mutfwang said democracy guarantees freedom of choice, security of property and the right to peaceful assembly.

He described democracy as the foundation of progress and vowed to sustain it.

The governor linked democracy to security, saying violent actors would not be allowed to undermine governance.