The demonstrators said they were concerned that their community was being unfairly associated with criminal activities simply because of their ethnic identity, insisting that such generalisations were unjust and dangerous to peaceful coexistence.

The protest comes amid heightened tension in Oyo State following a recent wave of abductions, including the kidnapping of 46 pupils and teachers during coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

Protesters Reject Ethnic Blame Over Insecurity

During the protest in Ibadan, the Hausa residents called for an end to narratives linking their ethnic group to kidnapping and other violent crimes.

They stressed that criminality should be addressed strictly as an individual offence rather than being attributed to an entire community.

Hausa community protests in Ibadan over alleged ethnic profiling after Oyo kidnappings (See photos)

According to them, members of the Hausa community in Oyo State are law-abiding residents who have lived peacefully with other ethnic groups in Ibadan and other parts of the state for many years.

Call For Fair Treatment And Unity

The protesters appealed to government authorities, security agencies and members of the public to avoid statements or actions capable of deepening ethnic divisions within the state.

They insisted that justice should be based on proper investigation and prosecution of offenders, rather than ethnic assumptions or stereotypes.

They also urged residents to continue fostering peaceful coexistence, noting that insecurity affects all citizens regardless of tribe or religion.

The group further called for stronger intelligence-led policing, improved community cooperation and more proactive security measures to prevent future attacks.

Hausa community protests in Ibadan over alleged ethnic profiling after Oyo kidnappings (See photos)

Tension Follows Oriire School Abductions

The protest comes weeks after the abduction of 46 pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, an incident that triggered widespread fear and condemnation across Oyo State.

The coordinated attack on three schools heightened concerns about the safety of educational institutions, especially in rural communities, and prompted renewed calls for enhanced security presence.

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Security agencies and state authorities have since been under pressure to strengthen surveillance, improve intelligence gathering and ensure rapid response to attacks.

Gumi Reacts To Controversy Over Ibadan Visit

Meanwhile, Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has responded to criticism surrounding his recent visit to Ibadan, dismissing claims linking his trip to political or religious motives in the South-West.

In a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Gumi said his visit had been misrepresented and wrongly tied to what he described as “dirty local politics.”

He clarified that he was not invited by any Muslim individual or organisation in the South-West but attended the event as a representative of northern Islamic scholars.

“I quite understand now how Islamophobia is shaping politics in SW (South-West) and why I was unnecessarily dragged into their dirty local politics,” he wrote.

“I was in Ibadan, not by the invitation of any SW Muslim individual or group, but as a representative of the Coalition of Northern Muslim Ulama.

“Can anybody stop me from going anywhere in Nigeria?”

The cleric’s remarks have continued to generate mixed reactions amid ongoing conversations about insecurity, ethnicity and religious sensitivities in parts of the country.