The Take It Back (TIB) Movement and several civil society organisations have petitioned the Oyo State Police Command, demanding an urgent investigation into the violent attack on peaceful protesters, journalists, and activists during the #BringBackOurPupilsAndTeachers protest held in Ibadan on June 2, 2026.
The petition, dated June 4 and addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, was jointly signed by human rights lawyers Tope Temokun and Inibehe Effiong, alongside representatives of the Take It Back Movement, African Action Congress (AAC), Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), Committee for Defence of Workers’ Rights (CDWR), and Education Rights Campaign (ERC).
The protest was organised to demand urgent government action for the rescue of abducted pupils, teachers, and a school principal who were kidnapped by armed men during attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. The abductions, which occurred on May 15, sparked widespread outrage and triggered protests across Oyo State and other parts of the country. According to multiple reports, protesters had gathered at Mokola Roundabout and marched through parts of Ibadan calling for the immediate rescue of the victims and improved security measures.
According to the petition, protesters had commenced a peaceful march from Mokola and were heading toward Bodija through the University of Ibadan axis when they were attacked by a group of individuals led by Mr. Akinteye Babatunde, popularly known as “Babtee,” the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS); Mr. Victor Olojede, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Students’ Affairs; and one Alimi Yusuf, also known as “Decimal.”
The petitioners revealed that the attackers disrupted the demonstration and violently descended on participants.
“The protesters had commenced a peaceful march from Mokola and were moving towards Bodija from U.I when they were attacked at the Bodija area of Ibadan,” the petition stated.
The attackers were heard identifying the demonstrators as members of the Take It Back Movement before launching the assault.
Witnesses cited in the petition claimed that several protesters were beaten, injured, and dispersed during the incident. Vehicles belong some of the protesters were vandalised, while mobile phones and other personal belongings were reportedly stolen.
The petition further made it known that gunshots were fired during the attack, creating panic and forcing demonstrators to flee.
A major aspect of the petition concerns the treatment of journalists covering the protest.
The petition also made it known that Mr. Moshood Suara, a journalist with Agidigbo FM, was physically assaulted while performing his professional duties.
According to the document, the journalist was beaten, his clothing torn, and his work disrupted during the violence.
Witnesses reportedly identified Alimi Yusuf, popularly known as “Decimal,” as one of those who physically attacked the journalist.
The petitioners described the incident as an assault on press freedom and a violation of the rights of journalists to carry out their work without intimidation.
Perhaps the most serious allegation contained in the petition relates to the treatment of photojournalist and documentarian, Miss Odunayo Odedoyin. According to the petition, Odedoyin’s Fujifilm XT-1 camera fitted with a Viltrox 35mm lens was seized during the attack.
Although the camera was later returned, the petition states that it had been damaged and that its memory card, containing photographs and videos documenting the protest and the attack, was removed and has not been recovered.
The petition alleges that after her camera was seized, Odedoyin was forcibly taken into a vehicle identified as a NANS bus and prevented from leaving, “While inside the vehicle, she was subjected to inappropriate sexual advances, intimidation and other degrading and humiliating conduct by some of the occupants,” the petition stated.
The document further alleges that she was pressured to surrender access to materials she had recorded during the protest.
The petitioners argued that the actions amounted to unlawful abduction, wrongful restraint, sexual assault, intimidation, and deliberate interference with lawful journalistic activity.
“The forcible removal of the journalist from the scene, her confinement inside the vehicle, and the conduct of the occupants constitute unlawful abduction, wrongful restraint, sexual assault, intimidation, and a deliberate interference with press freedom and lawful journalistic activity,” the petition said.
The petition states that the conduct complained of amount to several criminal offences under Nigerian law if established by investigation.
Among the offences listed are: Criminal conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, stealing, malicious damage to property, intimidation, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, unlawful use or possession of firearms, wrongful restraint, sexual assault; and other related offences.
The petition specifically called for investigations into the roles played by Akinteye Babatunde, Victor Olojede, Alimi Yusuf (“Decimal”), and other unidentified individuals.
The petitioners demand that the Oyo State Police Command must immediately launch a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Among the requests made were:
- The invitation and questioning of all persons named in the petition;
- The identification, arrest, and prosecution of all participants in the attack;
- Recovery of stolen phones and personal belongings;
- Investigation into the alleged firing of gunshots;
- Investigation into the assault on journalists and interference with media equipment;
- Recovery of missing journalistic materials and the memory card allegedly removed from Odedoyin’s camera;
- Review of all available videos, photographs, and eyewitness testimonies;
- Investigation into the alleged abduction, detention, intimidation, and sexual harassment of Odedoyin;
- Justice and compensation for all victims affected by the attack.
The protest formed part of the growing nationwide campaign demanding the rescue of pupils, teachers, and a school principal abducted during attacks on schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Reports indicate that dozens of pupils and teachers remain in captivity following the attacks, while one teacher was reportedly killed in captivity. The incident has triggered protests by civil society groups, residents, labour activists, and the Nigeria Union of Teachers across several states.
The Take It Back Movement has been at the forefront of the campaign under the banner #BringBackOurPupilsAndTeachers, demanding stronger government action to secure the release of the victims and address worsening insecurity in Oyo State.
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