A scene unfolded in the Maitama area of Abuja as a mother and her three children, dressed in school uniforms and holding placards, staged a peaceful protest over the surge in school abductions and growing fears for the safety of schoolchildren.

The video of the protest, shared on Monday by ARISEtv on X.com, has drawn widespread reactions online.

Video footage shows the family standing by the roadside with placards bearing messages such as calls for the rescue of kidnapped pupils. The children stood solemnly beside their mother as she voiced the pain of parents across the country.

The mother, while speaking in the video, expressed her deep fear of taking her children to school, saying, “I am afraid of taking my children to school because of what is happening. I am scared it is not safe”

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Speaking on the recent school abduction incidents, she appealed for urgent government action to secure schools and ensure the release of abducted pupils.

The symbolic protest comes shortly after the rescue of the sister of a former Minister of Power and her twin sons on their way to school, and the continued captivity of schoolchildren abducted in parts of Oyo and Borno States.

Social media users reacted to the video with concern and calls for action.

#RightKlick_G commented on X, “The sight of that mother and her children in uniforms, protesting for safety, is heartbreaking but necessary. No parent should have to worry about whether their child will return from school. We need more than just sympathy; we need concrete action to secure our schools and protect our future.”

Another user, #thepsalmistt, suggested, “If we can protest with pupils from P6 to SS1, at least the government will deploy the Army and police.”

“#BringBackOurSchoolChildren Tinubu,” #macofbillions wrote.

PUNCH reports that President Bola Tinubu has restated his administration’s commitment to intensifying the fight against insecurity and ensuring the release of all persons held captive across the country, noting that Nigeria will not bow to terrorists or bandits.

He also approved the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards in Oyo State to intensify efforts to free abducted pupils and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

State governments, including Kebbi, Gombe, Kwara, Kaduna, Edo, Imo, Bayelsa, and Anambra, have reportedly also trained and deployed forest guards, with several other states scaling up operations under the Federal Government-backed initiative. (PUNCH)

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