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As the teachers and pupils abducted in Oyo State remain in captivity, protests continued across Nigeria on Tuesday, with the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) holding rallies in several states.
The demonstrations followed a peaceful protest organised by civil society groups in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday, where participants called for the immediate rescue of the abducted victims.
In Ibadan, teachers began the nationwide protest on a sombre note. Protesters gathered at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) office in the American Quarter area of the city, where union leaders addressed members on the purpose of the rally.
After the briefing, the protesters marched from the NLC Secretariat through different parts of the city. They carried banners and placards bearing various messages, sang solidarity songs, and used megaphones to explain their concerns to members of the public.
Union leaders and members also explained that the peaceful demonstration was not intended to provoke confrontation. They described the protest as a collective appeal to the nation’s conscience, the government’s moral obligation, and the constitutional responsibility of security agencies to protect lives and property.
In Plateau State, teachers demanded the immediate rescue of the teachers and pupils abducted in Oyo State, describing the incident as a serious threat to education in Nigeria.
The teachers made the appeal in Jos as they joined colleagues across the country in calling for the safe return of the victims.
Addressing the protesters, Plateau NUT Chairman, Elisha Ayimani, warned that the increasing number of kidnappings targeting schools and teachers poses a grave danger to teaching and learning.
He urged the Nigerian Government to take swift action to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils.
Ayimani stated that the union would suspend work until authorities rescue the captives and reunite them with their families.
Carrying placards with different messages, the protesters marched from the Old Airport Roundabout to the New Government House in Little Rayfield, where they planned to submit a letter to Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
The union maintained that protecting teachers and students is essential to safeguarding the future of education in the country.
The NUT in Kano State also joined other concerned groups in expressing alarm over the worsening security situation following the kidnapping of pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
The union called for urgent action to tackle rising insecurity and protect lives and property.
In Taraba State, members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers and students joined counterparts nationwide in protesting the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State.
The protesters urged the government to fulfil its responsibility by securing the release of the abducted students and teachers while providing adequate security for schools across the country.
In Edo State, union members led by Edo State NUT Chairman, Lucky Imarouagheru, marched from the Labour House through major streets in Benin City, carrying placards expressing outrage over the May 15 attack in Oyo.
The protesters called on the Nigerian Government to take immediate steps to secure the victims’ release, stressing that government must ensure a safe and secure learning environment nationwide.
In Ogun State, members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), its affiliate unions, and civil society organisations in Abeokuta joined teachers in the protest.
The demonstrators urged the Nigerian Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abductees without delay and reunite them with their families.
They also advocated fresh approaches to the rescue operation, emphasising the need for more effective strategies to ensure the victims’ safe return.
In Yobe State, NUT members joined colleagues nationwide in demanding the release of abducted students in Oyo and Borno states.
Leading the peaceful march to the Government House in Damaturu, Deputy State Chairman of NUT Yobe State, Ali Abubakar, described attacks on schools as a major setback for education.
He called on the Nigerian Government to accelerate efforts to ensure the safe return of the affected teachers and students.
Meanwhile, teachers in Adamawa State joined colleagues across the country in a peaceful protest in Yola over the recent abduction of teachers and students in Oyo State.
Carrying placards and singing solidarity songs, the protesters marched through major streets, urging authorities to strengthen security around schools and guarantee the safety of both teachers and learners.
The union described the incident as disturbing and called on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and prevent similar incidents across the country.
At the Government House gate, the protesters handed over their letter of demands to the Adamawa State Government through the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Edgar Amos.
Addressing the gathering, Amos assured the teachers of the government’s commitment to protecting lives and supporting measures aimed at improving security in schools.
He expressed sympathy for the affected families and pledged to relay the union’s concerns to the appropriate authorities.
The peaceful demonstrations concluded with renewed calls for collective action to protect the nation’s education sector.
