Protesters under the VDM RATELS banner have described how they successfully maintained order and protected themselves during a protest in Oyo State against insecurity and the abduction of schoolchildren, despite what they claim was a lack of formal security presence on the ground.
According to participants, the demonstration—organized to demand urgent action on worsening insecurity and repeated kidnappings of schoolchildren—faced an attempted disruption by suspected thugs. However, the situation was quickly brought under control by the protesters themselves, who coordinated and safeguarded the gathering without external security intervention.
The protesters said no formal security personnel were visibly deployed at the scene, leaving them to rely on internal organization and vigilance to prevent escalation. They maintained that their response ensured the protest remained peaceful and focused on its original demands.
They further alleged that the suspected thugs attempted to infiltrate and scatter the gathering but were effectively resisted and kept at bay, allowing the demonstration to continue without violence.
The VDM RATELS protesters reiterated that their action was driven by growing frustration over insecurity, particularly the abduction of schoolchildren, which they described as a national emergency requiring urgent government attention.
They called on authorities to take immediate steps to secure schools and vulnerable communities, stressing that citizens should not be forced to defend themselves while exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
The protesters concluded that the incident reflects both the resilience of citizens and the urgency of addressing Nigeria’s deepening security challenges.
