June 12: Osun Civil Society Groups Stage Protest, Demand End To Insecurity, Economic Hardship

By Tosin Olasunkanmi, Osogbo

Civil society organisations in Osun State on Friday marked the 2026 Democracy Day with a peaceful protest in Osogbo, the state capital, calling on the Federal Government to urgently tackle the country’s worsening insecurity, rising cost of living and what they described as anti-poor policies affecting millions of Nigerians.

Civil society organisations under the Coalition Against Insecurity and Bad Governance in Osun State on Friday took to the streets of Osogbo to commemorate the June 12 Democracy Day celebration with a protest against insecurity, economic hardship and poor governance.

The protesters, who described the demonstration as part of a coordinated nationwide action by civil society groups, marched from Ayetoro through Igbona Market, Ajegunle and Old Garage before terminating the procession at Olaiya.

Carrying placards with different inscriptions, the protesters demanded the immediate release of kidnapped schoolchildren and other victims still in captivity across the country, while urging governments at all levels to be more accountable for funds allocated to security.

Addressing journalists during the protest, the Coordinating Convener of the Coalition Against Insecurity and Bad Governance in Osun State, Comrade Kola Ibrahim, said the demonstration was intended to draw national attention to the deteriorating security situation and the hardship facing ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, despite huge budgetary allocations for security by the Federal Government and state governments, insecurity has continued to escalate.

He said, “We believe governments at both the federal and state levels have committed enormous resources to security, but Nigerians are not seeing corresponding results.

Government must account for the billions of naira budgeted as security votes.”

Ibrahim also condemned the continued abduction of schoolchildren and teachers, saying the trend was worsening Nigeria’s education crisis.

“It is unacceptable that a country already battling millions of out-of-school children cannot even guarantee the safety of those who are in classrooms. We demand the immediate release of all kidnapped Nigerians, especially schoolchildren and their teachers,” he said.

He further urged the government to reverse policies that have worsened the economic situation, calling for affordable fuel and food, implementation of a living minimum wage, reduced cost of education and improved funding of the healthcare sector.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Civil Society Coalition, Comrade Waheed Lawal, said the Constitution places the responsibility of protecting lives and property squarely on the government.

“Our Constitution mandates the government to provide security and ensure the welfare of the people. We don’t want to lose any more lives. Government must act proactively to rescue everyone currently in captivity and restore public confidence,” he said.

Lawal also called for people-oriented economic policies capable of addressing inflation and improving the living conditions of Nigerians.

The Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement in Osun State, Victor Lijofi, said the country’s democratic experience had failed to translate into improved welfare for citizens.

According to him, “Today is Democracy Day, but what Nigerians are experiencing is insecurity, poverty, unemployment and attacks on free speech. We demand the immediate release of the abducted schoolchildren and urge the government to focus on tackling poverty and terrorism instead of harassing citizens for expressing their opinions.”

The protesters maintained that June 12 should serve as a reminder that democracy extends beyond elections to include security, accountability, protection of fundamental rights and improved living standards for citizens.

The peaceful procession ended at Olaiya, where the coalition reiterated its call for urgent government action to address insecurity, improve economic conditions and deliver the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.