Teachers under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Federal Capital Territory Wing, on Tuesday staged a solidarity rally in Abuja to demand greater protection for educators and learners and to call for the safe return of kidnapped victims across the country.
The rally, which commenced at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education and proceeded to Area 11, drew teachers, union leaders, education stakeholders and supporters carrying placards with inscriptions such as “End The Reign of Fear in Our Schools” “Teachers Deserve Security, not Fear” “Kidnapping Has no Place in Education,” among others.
The demonstration, held under the theme “United for Education, Together for Our Future,” aimed at drawing attention to the growing insecurity confronting schools and educational institutions nationwide.
At least 82 pupils were abducted between May 13 and 15 during separate attacks in Oyo and Borno states.
In Borno State, 42 pupils were kidnapped after armed groups attacked schools in Askira Uba and Chibok Local Government Areas on May 13 and 14.
In Oyo State, another 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, in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.
The Oyo attack also claimed the lives of a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, a motorcyclist and some security operatives during rescue efforts.
Addressing participants during the rally, the Chairman of NUT FCT, Abdullahi Shafa, said the protest complied 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,” the state chairman said.
Shafa lamented the killing of the teacher and the continued attacks on educators and students, describing the situation as disturbing and detrimental to the nation’s educational development.
He stated, “A kidnapped teacher in Oyo State was beheaded without any just cause. This was someone who had dedicated his life to imparting knowledge to students, yet that was the fate he met.
“It is touching, horrifying and devastating that a teacher who has committed himself to ensuring that children receive quality education could be killed in such a manner, all in the name of kidnapping and banditry.”
He added, “It is not good for the system. It is not good for the teaching environment, and it is certainly not good for our children.”
According to him, the insecurity faced by teachers across the country has created fear among educators who work in remote communities to provide learning opportunities for children.
“Teachers do not deserve this kind of treatment. Even those who engage in kidnapping should understand that targeting teachers is unacceptable.
“We are spread across every part of this country. Go to any nook and cranny of Nigeria and you will find teachers there,” he stated.
Shafa noted that attacks on teachers and students threaten access to education, particularly in rural areas.
“When you resort to kidnapping teachers, you are effectively denying people in the rural areas access to education. That is why we have come out today to show the government that teachers across Nigeria are unhappy with what is happening,” he said.
The state chairman described the rally as a one-day peaceful protest intended to send a message to government authorities.
“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.
On the possibility of further action by the union, Shafa said, “We do not pray that these incidents continue. We are acting based on directives from our National Headquarters.
“Should the situation persist, the union’s national headquarters will issue further directives. For today, however, we have come out for a peaceful protest.”
The rally concluded with participants marching peacefully to deliver a letter to the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, calling for urgent measures to secure schools, protect teachers and learners, and bring perpetrators of attacks on educational institutions to justice.