… according to NUT, recent incidents in which no fewer than 82 pupils were reportedly abducted between May 13 and 15 in separate attacks in.
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times| Members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Federal Capital Territory chapter, on Tuesday staged a solidarity rally in Abuja, demanding improved security for teachers and schoolchildren and calling for the safe return of abducted persons across the country.
The protesters commenced the rally at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education before proceeding to Area 11, the headquarters of the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “End the Reign of Fear in Our Schools,” “Teachers Deserve Security, Not Fear,” and “Kidnapping Has No Place in Education,” the teachers called for urgent government intervention to tackle insecurity in schools.
Held under the theme, “United for Education, Together for Our Future,” the demonstration sought to draw national attention to the growing security threats facing schools and educational institutions across Nigeria.
The union cited recent incidents in which no fewer than 82 pupils were reportedly abducted between May 13 and 15 in separate attacks in Borno State and Oyo State.
According to NUT, 42 pupils were abducted in attacks on schools in Askira Uba and Chibok Local Government Areas of Borno State on May 13 and 14.
In Oyo State, another 40 pupils were reportedly kidnapped during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area.
The Oyo attack also reportedly claimed the lives of a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, a motorcyclist, and some security operatives involved in rescue efforts.
Addressing participants during the rally, the Chairman of the NUT FCT chapter, Abdullahi Shafa, said the protest was in compliance with a directive from the union’s national headquarters.
“We are acting on the directives of the national headquarters of this union. They instructed us, in every state of the federation, to embark on a solidarity rally in protest against what has happened to our teachers and students in parts of the country,” Shafa said.
The union urged authorities at all levels to strengthen security around schools and ensure that educational environments remain safe for learning and teaching across the country.
