Abduction: Group Demands Safe Release Of Other Abductees Across Country

Following the rescue of victims of the Oriire abduction, the Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR), Oyo State branch, has demanded the safe release of other abductees across the country.

The group, which rejoiced with the abducted teachers and students from the Orire Local Government Area of the State and their families and communities following their safe release after spending over 55 days in captivity, also commiserated with the families of two teachers killed in captivity, a teacher and a commercial motorcyclist shot dead during the abduction and security personnel who lost their lives in the course of the rescue operation.

The group’s State Coordinator, Bamigboye Abiodun, in a statement on Tuesday in Ibadan, noted that the release of the abductees demonstrates the power of sustained public and workers’ pressure.

“We hold that the successful release of the abductees demonstrates the power of sustained public and workers’ pressure in compelling government and the security agencies to act with greater urgency and seriousness”, it said.

The group recalled that right from the moment news of the 15 May 2026 abduction broke, parents, workers, trade unions, civil society organisations, students, community groups and other concerned Nigerians consistently demanded the immediate and safe rescue of the victims.

According to it, this pressure intensified when teachers in both primary and secondary public schools across Oyo State embarked on an indefinite strike that paralysed academic activities for over a month.

“The nationwide protest organised in solidarity with the abducted teachers and students further heightened public attention and reinforced the demand for urgent government intervention.

“Even after the Oyo State leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) unilaterally suspended the strike, public agitation did not subside. Ordinary Nigerians continued to insist that the victims must not be forgotten until they regain their freedom.

“This experience once again confirms that organised public pressure and democratic mass action remain indispensable instruments for ensuring that governments, at all levels, discharge their responsibility to protect lives and property,’’ he said.