‘Those Children Are Suffering,’ Falana Demands Urgent Rescue of Abducted Oyo Pupils, Teachers

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called for the immediate rescue and release of pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State, expressing concern over the conditions they are facing while in captivity.

Falana made the appeal on Thursday during a June 12 protest, where demonstrators gathered to highlight insecurity, economic hardship, and governance challenges facing the country.

Addressing protesters, Falana said the demonstration was partly organised to draw attention to the plight of schoolchildren and teachers who have remained in the custody of kidnappers for several weeks.

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

The senior advocate also criticised what he described as the continued harassment of young Nigerians by security agencies, while raising concerns about poverty and hunger across the country.

According to him, Nigeria possesses sufficient natural and material resources to improve the welfare of its citizens and reduce hardship.

Falana stressed that the abducted victims were enduring difficult conditions in captivity, urging authorities to intensify efforts to secure their release.

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

He further revealed that one of the teachers abducted alongside the pupils had reportedly been killed, describing the act as an attempt by the kidnappers to pressure authorities into acting more quickly.

“As you are well aware, a teacher has been beheaded in order to convince the government to move speedily to have those children released,” he added.

Speaking on the significance of June 12, Falana thanked Nigerians who participated in the protest and argued that the country’s democratic journey remains unfinished.

He maintained that while civilian rule has endured for decades, the struggle for genuine democracy and social justice must continue.

Falana also commended journalists and media organisations for their coverage of the protest and urged Nigerians to remain actively engaged in promoting accountability, justice, security, and good governance across the country.