The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter, on Tuesday staged a solidarity rally in Abuja, demanding enhanced protection for teachers and schoolchildren while calling for the safe return of abducted persons across the country.
The rally, held under the theme, “United for Education, Together for Our Future,” commenced at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education and proceeded to the Area 11 headquarters of the FCT Administration.
Nova News reports that the protesters carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “End The Reign of Fear in Our Schools,” “Teachers Deserve Security, Not Fear,” and “Kidnapping Has No Place in Education,” among others.
The demonstration was aimed at drawing national attention to the growing insecurity facing schools and educational institutions across Nigeria, particularly the rising cases of abduction of students and teachers.
The rally comes amid renewed concerns over attacks on schools following the abduction of no fewer than 82 pupils in separate incidents in Oyo and Borno states between May 13 and 15.
In Borno State, 42 pupils were reportedly abducted after armed groups attacked schools in Askira Uba and Chibok Local Government Areas on May 13 and 14.
Similarly, in Oyo State, 40 pupils were abducted on May 15 during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School, and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, all located in Oriire Local Government Area.
The Oyo attacks also claimed the lives of a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, a motorcyclist, and several security operatives who participated in rescue efforts.
Addressing participants during the rally, the Chairman of NUT FCT, Abdullahi Shafa, said the protest was in compliance with a directive issued by 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.
He stressed the need for urgent action by government and security agencies to safeguard schools and restore confidence in the nation’s education system.
The union reiterated its call for stronger security measures around schools, the protection of teachers and learners, and the immediate rescue of all abducted students and education workers across the country.
