Tension erupted in Ibadan on Tuesday following allegations by protest organisers that the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Babtee, alongside a Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde and Victor Olojede, allegedly led armed thugs to disrupt a peaceful protest in the city.

The protest, which was reportedly organised over rising insecurity and the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in parts of the South-West, had drawn students, civil society groups, and concerned residents calling for urgent government action.

According to the organisers, the demonstration was peaceful before it was allegedly invaded by suspected thugs, leading to chaos, panic, and the dispersal of protesters. Several participants were said to have sustained injuries, while others fled the scene to avoid further confrontation.

The organisers accused the alleged attackers of attempting to suppress public expression and intimidate demonstrators demanding accountability over worsening insecurity in the region. They also called for an independent investigation into the incident and the alleged involvement of political actors.

Eyewitness accounts remain conflicting, as some residents claimed the confrontation escalated after tensions rose between rival groups at the protest location, while authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the allegations.

Security presence has reportedly been reinforced in parts of Ibadan to prevent further escalation, as concerns grow over the increasing politicisation of protests linked to insecurity and public safety demands.

As of the time of filing this report, no official confirmation has been provided regarding the identities or roles of those allegedly involved, while the situation remains tense and under observation.

The incident adds another layer of concern to the ongoing wave of protests across the South-West, where citizens continue to demand stronger action against kidnappings, school attacks, and rural insecurity.