Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has issued an urgent appeal for the immediate release of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oyo State, voicing deep distress over their deteriorating condition while in captivity.
Falana made the call during the June 12 protest in Nigeria, where he joined demonstrators in highlighting not only the kidnapping but also the broader crises of insecurity, economic hardship, and the fragile state of democracy. He explained that the protest was convened both to demand the victims’ freedom and to spotlight other pressing grievances affecting the nation.
Addressing the crowd, Falana declared, “We are protesting 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 State have been in the custody of criminals for several weeks now. We are also protesting 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 that there is no basis for poverty in Nigeria. Our country has enormous material, natural resources and capital resources to make our people happy.”
Falana Speaks on Beheaded Teacher, Hostages’ Suffering
Falana painted a grim picture of what the captives are enduring, stressing that they lack basic necessities. “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 said.
Revealing a tragic escalation, the senior advocate noted that one of the teachers had been killed by the abductors. He described the murder as a brutal tactic meant to pressure the government into accelerating efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages. “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 stated.
Turning to the significance of the date, Falana expressed gratitude to Nigerians who turned out for the demonstration and maintained that the country’s democratic journey remains unfulfilled. “We also want to thank you for coming out today to mark the June 12 anniversary. As you are well aware, there is no democracy in Nigeria. What we have is civil rule. Civilian administration. The struggle for democracy must continue,” he asserted.
He also acknowledged the press for documenting the event and urged Nigerians to persist in active civic participation.
Stay informed on the fight for justice and breaking human rights news. Visit LouisaOlaniyi.com.ng for more updates and in-depth coverage.
