The Nigerian Movement for Actionable Change staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly on Wednesday, demanding the release of 253 pupils abducted from a Catholic school in Niger State. The group called for decisive action against the country's worsening insecurity, including a state of emergency declaration. Protesters urged the government to stop negotiations with bandits and enhance security measures.
On November 26, 2025, members of the Nigerian Movement for Actionable Change (NMFAC) gathered at the National Assembly in Abuja for a peaceful demonstration. The protest highlighted the ongoing insecurity plaguing Nigeria, with a specific focus on the abduction of schoolchildren. NMFAC, a coalition of pressure groups, marched with placards reading “Restore Security in the 36 States,” “Release the 253 Abducted Pupils,” “Stop Negotiations with Bandits,” “Declare State of Emergency on Insecurity,” and “Secure Our Borders Now.”
Convener Faisal Sanusi Ibrahim addressed journalists, emphasizing the protest as a constitutional right and a unified call for national safety. “As we all know, protest is our fundamental human right, and we are here today to exercise it. We are all aware of the current state of insecurity across the country; no state is safe, no one is safe,” he said. Ibrahim stressed the need to confront the issue collectively, beyond divisions of religion, tribe, or culture.
The group commended security agencies for rescuing 24 schoolgirls but pointed out that 253 pupils from the Niger State Catholic school remain captive. Recent incidents include the kidnapping of ten people in Kwara and ten in Kano the previous day. NMFAC rejected any negotiations with terrorists, whom they blame for displacing communities and creating battlegrounds. They demanded better equipment and firepower for the armed forces to counter criminals' superior weapons.
Ibrahim warned against framing insecurity along religious lines, which could exacerbate the crisis amid international concerns. He highlighted daily hardships, from hunger to unsafe road travel, noting that flying has become essential but unaffordable for most. “The government must declare a state of emergency on insecurity. It is very important. Travelling by road is no longer safe, not for me, not for you, not even for the security agencies,” he stated. The protesters called for swift government action to protect citizens and rescue those in captivity.