Social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, joined residents of Oyo State on Tuesday in a protest calling for stronger action against banditry and the rescue of abducted schoolchildren and teachers.
The demonstration took place 32 days after the victims were kidnapped from communities in Oriire Local Government Area. Protesters marched through major roads, chanting slogans demanding the removal of criminal groups from the state and urging authorities to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ release.
Speaking at the Iwo Road Roundabout in Ibadan, VeryDarkMan encouraged residents to remain united and continue demanding action from the government. He warned against attempts to disrupt the protest and stressed the need for citizens to speak out against growing insecurity.
The protesters later proceeded to the Government House in Agodi, where they reiterated calls for urgent intervention by the Federal Government and security agencies.
The protest comes amid increasing public concern over the prolonged captivity of the abducted pupils and teachers. Lawmakers and community leaders have continued to raise alarm over the situation, with reports indicating that the kidnappers have made demands beyond financial ransom.
Earlier, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, revealed that the abductors were allegedly requesting money, weapons, and other conditions as part of negotiations for the victims’ release. He questioned whether authorities should consider such demands in efforts to secure the freedom of the captives.
The Take It Back Movement has also criticised both federal and state authorities over the delay in rescuing the victims, describing the situation as evidence of a failure to adequately protect citizens. The group argued that every additional day spent in captivity increases the suffering of the schoolchildren and their teachers.
The continued detention of the victims has intensified calls for decisive security measures and a more coordinated response to kidnapping and terrorism-related threats across the country.
