A candidate for the office of General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Okey Leo Ohagba, Esq., has called for the immediate and safe release of 39 schoolchildren and their teachers abducted from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ELLAN.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
Ohagba made the call in his Democracy Day message titled “A Democracy In Chains: We Demand Freedom For The Oyo 39 Captives.”
He said the continued captivity of the abducted pupils and teachers should make Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration a sober moment rather than a mere ceremonial event.
According to him, the country cannot genuinely celebrate freedom while innocent schoolchildren and their teachers remain in the custody of terrorists.
“Today, our celebrations are profoundly muted. We cannot in good conscience ignore the painful reality that 39 innocent schoolchildren and their teachers, abducted from the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, remain in the harrowing custody of terrorists,” he said.
“How do we celebrate freedom when the Oyo 39 have been denied theirs?”
Ohagba described the abduction as a direct assault on the values of freedom, security and human dignity which Democracy Day is meant to commemorate.
He said a democracy that cannot protect classrooms, pupils and teachers must engage in serious soul-searching.
“A democracy that cannot safeguard the classrooms of its pupils or protect the lives of its educators is a democracy in dire need of soul-searching,” he stated.
“The continued captivity of these innocent children and tutors is a collective injury to our national conscience and a direct assault on the fundamental rights and freedoms we claim to commemorate today. It is, indeed, a democracy in chains.”
The former NBA 1st Assistant General Secretary urged members of the legal profession to speak out against the abduction, insisting that lawyers, as custodians of justice, must not remain silent in the face of such tragedy.
According to him, advocacy must go beyond the courtroom and respond to urgent national issues affecting the lives, safety and dignity of citizens.
“As members of the legal profession and custodians of justice, we must lend our voices to this tragedy. Advocacy must step outside the comfort of our courtrooms,” he said.
Ohagba called on the government and relevant security agencies to intensify tactical, innovative and decisive measures to secure the immediate, unconditional and safe return of the abducted children and teachers.
He noted that the victims had spent 28 days in captivity, stressing that their continued detention was unacceptable.
He further stated that Nigeria cannot claim meaningful democratic progress while children are afraid to go to school and citizens remain unsafe within the country’s borders.
“True democratic progress will elude us until every child can seek education without fear, and every citizen is secure within our borders,” he said.
Ohagba urged Nigerians, lawyers and institutions of state to demand accountability and institutional responsibility over the abduction.
He concluded with a call for collective action and solidarity with the victims and their families.
“Let us stand together and demand accountability and institutional responsibility.
“Free the schoolchildren!
“Free their teachers!!
“Bring back the Oyo 39!!!”
Ohagba is a past NBA 1st Assistant General Secretary and a candidate for the office of NBA General Secretary.
“Order Your Copy Now” — Basil Momodu, Esq. Unveils Second Edition Of His Book, "Civil Procedure In Nigeria"
According to the learned author, Basil Momodu Esq. "Law review is a continuum. We will continue to track changes in the law to enrich future editions." Recommended Booksellers: Lagos: 08033855230, Abuja: 08035991379, and others.
_______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________ “Bridging Theory And Courtroom Practice” — Hagler Sunny Okorie, Nathaniel Ngozi Ikeocha Unveil ‘Functional’ Tort Law Book For Nigerian Legal System
The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209.
______________________________________________________________________
“Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
As an added bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE ebook titled: “AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion: A Research Guide.”
Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating:
"....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic."
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
