Leaders of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria took to the streets today in a bold demonstration against the worsening security situation. Pastor Yemi Davids, Apostle Emmanuel Iren and other PFN figures led the peaceful rally in Lagos, following a three-day nationwide fast that drew massive participation across the country. The action signals growing impatience among faith-based groups and ordinary citizens for decisive steps to end the cycle of killings, kidnappings and fear.
The protest comes barely a week after coordinated attacks on schools in Oyo State’s Oriire Local Government Area, where gunmen abducted dozens of pupils and teachers. One mathematics teacher was killed in the incident. Around the same period, suspected militants stormed a school in Askira-Uba, Borno State, leaving at least 42 pupils missing. These assaults have once again exposed the vulnerability of children and the education sector, forcing many parents to keep their wards at home.
Insecurity has remained a national emergency since President Bola Tinubu declared both insecurity and poverty as such on May Day. While the government has allocated substantial resources to defence and security agencies continue operations, communities in the North-West, North-East and other flashpoints still face banditry, insurgency and abductions. Thousands have been displaced, schools shut and economic activities disrupted in affected areas.
Public reaction has been swift and vocal. On social media, the hashtag #SayNoToInsecurity trended as Nigerians commended the clergy for moving from prayers to physical protest. Many expressed frustration that previous calls for action were ignored or politicised, while urging leaders to treat citizen safety as a non-negotiable priority. The sentiment cuts across regions, with users highlighting how insecurity affects everyone regardless of tribe or faith.
In the first quarter of 2026 alone, more than 2,350 Nigerians were killed and over 1,100 abducted in various incidents. The human and economic cost continues to mount, with families traumatised and ransom demands turning kidnapping into a criminal industry. Education, already strained, suffers further setbacks as parents weigh safety against learning.
The PFN rally, described by participants as non-partisan, adds to growing civil society pressure for accountability and results. Citizens and analysts insist that lasting peace will demand better intelligence, community collaboration, and honest tackling of root causes such as poverty and weak local governance.As images of the Lagos protest circulate widely, the message resonating from streets and screens alike is unmistakable: Nigerians have had enough of living under siege. The coming weeks will reveal whether this renewed outcry forces the accelerated, coordinated response the country desperately needs.
