Teachers protest against school kidnappings

Teachers protested on Tuesday in many states over attacks on schools and the kidnapping of students and teachers. They called for urgent action to protect learning institutions across Nigeria.

The protests were organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). Demonstrations took place in Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Borno, Taraba, Adamawa, Kano, Sokoto, Anambra, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Kwara, the Federal Capital Territory, and other states.

These protests were sparked by the abduction of over 80 students and teachers in Borno and Oyo states in May.

On May 14, suspected Boko Haram insurgents attacked Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State. They kidnapped over 40 children, including toddlers. The attackers reportedly used the children as human shields while escaping.

On the same day, gunmen attacked Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Ahoro-Esiele, Oyo State. Pupils and teachers were abducted, and two teachers were later killed by their captors.

These incidents are the latest attacks on schools since the 2014 kidnapping of over 270 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State.

Despite the federal government’s Safe Schools Initiative, educational institutions remain vulnerable to attacks from terrorists and kidnappers.

During the protest in Abuja, NUT National President Comrade Audu Titus Amba demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all abducted teachers and students. He warned that ongoing attacks threaten the future of education and national growth.

"An attack on teachers is an attack on education, and an attack on education is an attack on the future of Nigeria," he said.

Amba pointed out that the victims have been in captivity for over two weeks. He said the killing of two teachers in Oyo shows how urgent it is to secure the release of those still held.

He also criticised the Safe Schools Initiative, saying it has not done enough to protect schools. He said attacks continue in several states, despite measures introduced under the program.

The union urged the federal government to review the initiative, fix its flaws, and improve security around schools. They also called on Nigerians to support efforts to create safe learning environments for teachers and students.

In Borno State, NUT members stormed the Government House and the streets, demanding the unconditional rescue of pupils and students kidnapped from Mussa Primary and Secondary School in Askira Uba and all other students still held.

"Children deserve protection. We want the government to increase efforts to rescue these children, teachers, and colleagues in Borno and other states," said NUT National Publicity Secretary Yusuf Tom.

NUT’s treasurer in Borno, Mustapha Usman, said the government is not treating victims of abduction fairly.

In Kano State, Sunusi Dayyabu, NUT deputy chairman, called for stronger government action to secure schools. He stressed that teachers should be able to work without fear of intruders.

"Our schools should be safe so that our teachers can work freely without fear," he said.

Teachers in Kwara State stated that no school in Nigeria is safe amid growing insecurity in the country.

The Deputy Secretary-General of the NUT in Kwara State, Mike Modesty, noted that the Oyo abduction is part of a larger pattern of attacks on educational institutions.

"A similar incident happened in Borno. Only last week, a teacher was kidnapped in Zamfara and killed even after ransom was paid. How do we continue like this? The solution is that the government must act now," he said.

He mentioned that if the situation does not improve, the union might consider shutting down schools across the country to force the government to act.

In Taraba State, NUT Chairman Nathan Solomon expressed sadness over the ongoing attacks on schools, especially the recent abduction in Oyo State.

"Schools should be places of learning and character formation, not fear and insecurity. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted students and teachers," he said.

The Commissioner for Vocational and Secondary Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, called the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo and Borno an attack on education and the future of Nigerian children.

Meanwhile, in Oyo State, families of the abducted pupils and teachers rejected rice and cash offered by government officials. They insisted that their main concern is the safe return of their loved ones.

The Baale of Yawota in Oriire LGA, Emmanuel Alade, said during an interview that government representatives were turned away when they offered relief materials and money.

"The women from Governor Seyi Makinde’s team came to console us. They brought rice and money, but the parents said they did not want it. They want their children back," he said.

During a protest at the Oyo State Governor’s Office, NUT Chairman in Oyo State, Hassan Fatai, stated that teachers will continue to stay away from classrooms until the abducted victims are freed.

"Teachers are now living in fear. We can no longer go to classes. We demand better security so our students and teachers are not exposed to attacks," he said.

Governor Seyi Makinde addressed the protesters, saying this situation calls for unity instead of blame or political division.

"This is a time of national distress, not a time to trade blame or play politics. It is time for all Nigerians to come together and deal decisively with the attackers," he said.

The second day of the ongoing protest for the rescue of the 46 pupils and teachers taken in Oyo State turned dramatic in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday. Protesters resisted attempts to stop them from marching into the state secretariat at Oke-Mosan.

Daily Trust reported that members of the Nigeria Labour Congress, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Civil Society Organisations, and others joined the nationwide protest to show their displeasure. There was a confrontation when security operatives locked the gates to prevent protesters from entering.

The protesters pushed against the gate to get it open, but security agents resisted. They eventually overpowered the security agents and forced their way into the state secretariat, singing solidarity songs.

Speaking during the protest, the National President of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Yinka Folarin, urged security agencies to do more and value human life.

The National President of NUT, Titus Amba, represented by Titilope Adebanjo, the National Vice President, said teachers now live in fear. He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to treat this issue as urgent and secure their release.

The Ogun State NLC chairman, Hameed Benco, expressed anger, stating that the protest was just a warning to the government and that drastic actions will follow if nothing changes.

In Lagos, NUT members protested at the Lagos State House of Assembly, demanding the release of abducted children and others in captivity. They gave the federal government a one-week deadline to take strong action against insecurity.

Lagos State NUT Chairman, Akintoye Mujeeb, said teachers can no longer remain silent amid rising insecurity.

"Enough is enough. How many more people will these bandits kill? They have been killing us, and now we are saying enough is enough," he said.

Responding to the protesters, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, promised to pass their message to the right authorities.

The NUT Chairman in Bayelsa State, Richman Otobo, stated that "teachers are not slaves" and their lives should not be put at risk. He expressed concern over reports of mistreatment of some victims and called for intervention.

Also, Comrade Akada Emomotimi, Chairman of NUT Sagbama LGA branch, broke down in tears, saying, "Every day we cry. They should release these children and teachers. Without teachers, there is no nation."

NUT members in Anambra urged both the federal and state governments to act quickly instead of making empty promises. They insisted that classrooms must not turn into battlegrounds or hideouts for kidnappers.

Chairman of NUT, Chika Chukwudozie, said, "For over two weeks now, the innocent teachers and learners are still in captivity under inhumane conditions, leaving their families in fear and anguish."

Protests also took place in Akwa Ibom, Ondo, and Sokoto states. NUT leaders repeated calls for the release of the children and teachers and the urgent need for safe schools.