Massive Protest Rocks Abuja Over Banditry, Kidnappings Under Tinubu Govt
A massive protest erupted on Saturday at the Nyanya–Karu Bridge in Abuja, as hundreds of angry youths and residents took to the streets to protest worsening insecurity, rising cases of banditry, and the continued abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State and other parts of the country.
The demonstration, which caused heavy traffic gridlock along the busy Abuja–Nyanya expressway, was reportedly led by a social commentator, Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkman, who arrived the scene alongside other activists and concerned citizens.
Chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Bring Back Our Children,” the protesters accused the President Bola Tinubu-led government of failing to protect lives and property despite repeated assurances.
Meanwhile, the protest began early in the morning and quickly escalated as more residents joined in, effectively shutting down movement on the bridge linking Abuja to adjoining parts of Nasarawa State.
Security operatives were later seen stationed at strategic points around the area to prevent escalation and control traffic, though tensions remained high as protesters refused to disperse, insisting on immediate government intervention.
According to some of the demonstrators, the recent wave of kidnappings in schools, particularly in Oyo State and other northern and central regions, has left communities in fear, with many calling the situation a national emergency.
