Members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Tuesday staged coordinated protests across several states of the federation, demanding the immediate rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in recent attacks on schools in Oyo and Borno states.
The demonstrations, which took place in Lagos, Anambra, Osun, Benue, Adamawa and other states, formed part of a nationwide solidarity action organised by the union to draw attention to the growing insecurity confronting schools and education workers across the country.
In Lagos, hundreds of teachers converged on the premises of the Lagos State House of Assembly, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs as they called for the safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers.
The protesters urged the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the victims and strengthen security around schools nationwide.
In Benue State, the protest was led by the state NUT Chairman, Levi Akuma, who described the continued attacks on schools as a grave threat to the nation’s future.
Marching through major streets in Makurdi, the teachers displayed placards with various inscriptions and demanded urgent intervention by the government.
“Our major demand is the immediate rescue of the schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped in Oyo and Borno States over two weeks ago,” Akuma said.
He noted that the demonstration became necessary to express teachers’ frustration over the persistent targeting of schools, pupils and education workers by criminal groups.
The protesters were later received by the Benue State Government, with Governor Hyacinth Alia represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Deborah Aber.
Aber assured the teachers that the administration remained committed to improving safety within the education sector.
“Governor Alia’s administration is doing everything possible to ensure that schools are rehabilitated and made safe for every Benue child to access quality education,” she said.
A similar demonstration took place in Adamawa State, where teachers and labour activists marched through the streets of Yola before converging on the Government House.
Carrying placards bearing messages such as “Education Under Attack,” “Free Our Teachers and Students,” and “Schools Must Be Safe,” the protesters called on authorities to prioritise the protection of schools and learning environments.
Adamawa NUT Chairman, Fasial Muhammad, expressed concern over what he described as the recurring abduction of teachers and students across the country.
“An attack on teachers and students is an attack on the future of our nation. Government must act decisively to protect education and secure the release of those still in captivity,” he said.
The protesters were received by the Chief of Staff to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Edgar Amos, who assured them that their concerns would be conveyed to the governor and relevant federal authorities.
He also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to strengthening security measures aimed at protecting schools and communities.
The nationwide protest comes amid growing concern over repeated attacks on educational institutions and the abduction of students and teachers in different parts of the country.
The NUT said the demonstrations were intended to send a strong message that the safety of schools must remain a national priority, warning that continued attacks on the education sector could undermine learning and national development.
The union urged governments at all levels, security agencies and relevant stakeholders to take immediate and coordinated action to secure schools and ensure the safe return of all abducted teachers and students still in captivity.
