Amid rising security threats affecting residents, especially in the northern part of the country, teachers across Nigeria staged protests to demand urgent government action over the worsening crisis, which they said has now crept into the education system, with both teachers and students increasingly targeted by armed bandits.
Members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) staged demonstrations in Lagos, Ibadan, Kwara, Ogun, Osun, Abuja, Plateau, Kano, Taraba, Borno and other states, calling for a permanent solution to the insecurity crisis, following the abduction of over 30 students, alongside principals from three community schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as well as several others from Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The protests, which began in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, came a day after residents, including members of the Take It Back Movement, stormed the Oyo State Government House to demand stronger action to secure the release of the victims.
“It is not good for the system. It is not good for the teaching environment, and it is certainly not good for our children,” said FCT NUT Chairman Shafa, stressing that teachers in remote communities now live in fear while attempting to deliver education.
“Teachers do not deserve this kind of treatment. Even those who engage in kidnapping should understand that targeting teachers is unacceptable. When you resort to kidnapping teachers, you are effectively denying people in rural areas access to education,” he added.
In Plateau State, NUT Chairman Elisha Ayimani warned that the rising wave of kidnappings poses a serious threat to teaching and learning, adding that the union would down tools until the abducted victims are rescued.
“Our message to the government is simple: be more proactive. Take adequate care of our students and teachers. Provide security for them. Construct perimeter fences around schools and improve educational infrastructure so that both learners and educators can operate in a safe environment,” Shafa appealed.
Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, while addressing teachers in the state on Tuesday, assured them that the state government, alongside the Federal Government and relevant security agencies, is working towards the release of the victims.
Makinde said several security measures had been deployed, including the deployment of 1,000 forest guards ordered by President Bola Tinubu to track down the attackers, insisting that none of the perpetrators would escape justice.
The governor also appealed to the teachers, who had threatened to shut down schools and cripple learning activities if their demands were not met, noting that such action was not the best solution to the current situation.
“I heard that you want to shut down schools, which is understandable, but is it the best approach?” he asked.
Makinde urged calm among aggrieved teachers, assuring them that the government would, in due course, ensure the safe return of all affected pupils and teachers to their respective families, while also ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice.