Armed team allegedly led by NANS president, Makinde’s aide attacks #BringBackOurPupilsAndTeachers protesters in Ibadan

A group of suspected thugs allegedly led by National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President Akinteye Babatunde, popularly known as Babtee, and Senior Special Assistant to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on Students’ Affairs Victor Olojede, reportedly attacked peaceful protesters in Ibadan, during a demonstration demanding the rescue of abducted pupils, teachers and a school principal.

The protest, organised under the #BringBackOurPupilsAndTeachers campaign by the Take-It-Back Movement, was held on Tuesday to draw attention to the worsening insecurity in Oyo State and the continued captivity of victims abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.

According to eyewitnesses, the protesters had marched from Mokola and were heading towards Bodija when they were confronted at Sango by the alleged attackers.

Protesters allegedly assaulted, phones seized

Witnesses claimed the group descended on demonstrators, physically assaulting several protesters while gunshots were allegedly fired into the air, causing panic and forcing many participants to flee.

Several protesters were reportedly injured during the disruption, while vehicles were vandalised and personal belongings destroyed.

Eyewitnesses further alleged that mobile phones and valuables belonging to protesters were forcefully seized during the chaos.

The incident reportedly occurred in the presence of officers of the Nigeria Police Force, who witnesses claimed did not intervene to stop the violence.

Allegations against political actors

Sources at the scene alleged that members of the group later began directing traffic and controlling movement around the area shortly after the protest was dispersed.

There were also allegations that the attackers had earlier held a meeting with Seyi Makinde before the disruption occurred, although no independent confirmation of the claim has been made.

A popular Ibadan Polytechnic figure identified as Decimal was also allegedly spotted among those involved in the attack.

Protest linked to school abductions

The demonstration was organised to pressure authorities into securing the release of abducted pupils, teachers and a principal kidnapped during attacks on schools and surrounding communities in Oriire Local Government Area.

The abductions have triggered growing outrage across Oyo State, with residents, civil society groups and relatives of the victims demanding urgent intervention from the government and security agencies.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Oyo State Government, the police authorities nor the leadership of NANS had officially responded to the allegations surrounding the attack.