Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called for the immediate release of pupils and teachers abducted in Oyo State, raising concern over the conditions they are facing in captivity.
Falana spoke during the June 12 protest, where he addressed demonstrators on insecurity, economic hardship and the state of democracy in Nigeria.
He said the protest was aimed not only at demanding the rescue of the victims but also at highlighting wider challenges facing Nigerians.
According to him, “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 said the abducted children and teachers were going through severe hardship.
“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.
He also noted that one teacher had been killed, saying it was meant to push authorities to act faster.
“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.
On June 12, Falana thanked participants and said Nigeria’s democratic struggle was still unfinished.
“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 said.
He also thanked the media for covering the protest and urged Nigerians to remain actively engaged in civic affairs.
See video here.
