Members of Ibadan's Hausa community took to the streets Wednesday to denounce what they called systematic ethnic targeting.
They said recent kidnapping incidents in Oyo State had unfairly painted their ethnic group as criminals.
The protest erupted weeks after gunmen abducted 46 students and teachers in coordinated raids across three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.
Community leaders marched through the capital city demanding an end to profiling and stigmatization.
Residents carried placards denouncing what they described as unjust blame for security challenges plaguing the state.
The demonstration underscored growing tensions between security concerns and ethnic relations in Oyo.
Police presence was visible throughout the peaceful march on Wednesday afternoon.