Tensions over the handling of mass abductions in Oyo State spilled into the open as the National Association of Nigerian Students and the Take It Back Movement traded accusations at a town hall meeting in Ibadan.

The event, themed “Oyo At A Crossroads: Security, Safety and The Future,” brought together activists, students and civic groups at the Ibadan Civic Centre to discuss the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area.

Gunmen had stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, abducting scores of children and staff in coordinated attacks that shocked the state and triggered protests.

Speaking on the sidelines, the Assistant General Secretary of NANS Joint Campus Council in Oyo, Damilare Olayemi, accused civil society groups of unfairly maligning the students’ body over a recent protest in Ibadan that turned violent around Bodija.

Olayemi said NANS members were on their way to Oriire to solidarise with victims when they stopped to buy fuel and encountered protesters who, he claimed, blocked the road and began throwing stones.

He rejected allegations that NANS was sponsored by the government to break up the demonstration, insisting the association had earlier marched to the Governor’s Office alongside labour unions and other groups to demand action on the kidnappings.

According to him, the governor urged protesters to suspend street actions so as not to endanger the abductees, arguing that kidnappers could exploit the unrest. Olayemi maintained that NANS believes the government is working on securing the victims’ release but must “do more,” while civil groups should stop “spoiling the name” of the association.

Take It Back Movement representative, Femi Adeyeye, offered a sharply different account. He said his group was holding a peaceful protest at Bodija when a large contingent of students arrived and confronted them.

Adeyeye alleged that the students were mobilised to counter the protest once demonstrators began openly criticising authorities, describing it as a familiar “divide and rule” tactic used to weaken dissent.

He framed insecurity as fundamentally political, arguing that years of neglect, unemployment and lack of social protection had produced a pool of recruits for kidnappers and armed groups, and that the state had failed in its constitutional duty to protect citizens.

Other speakers, including the Oyo State president of the National Association of Seadogs, Bola Osodipo, also faulted the government’s approach to kidnapping, warning that political calculations were overshadowing urgent security needs.