Members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Enugu State Chapter, on Tuesday staged a solidarity protest at the Enugu State Government House, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of schoolchildren and teachers recently abducted by bandits in Oyo State.
The protesting teachers, who marched through major roads before converging at the Government House, carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “An attack on teachers is an attack on Education,” “Schools must be safe for learning,” “Protect our children and teachers,” and “Enough of insecurity in schools.”
The demonstration drew attention to growing fears over insecurity in educational institutions across Nigeria, as teachers warned that the persistent attacks on schools were threatening the future of education and creating fear among students, parents and educators.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Enugu State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Theophilus Odo, described the abduction of students and teachers as a disturbing development that should worry every Nigerian.
Odo lamented that schools, which ought to be safe spaces for learning and character development, were increasingly becoming targets for criminal groups, forcing teachers and students to operate under fear and uncertainty.
According to him, the protest was in compliance with a directive from the national headquarters of the union in Abuja aimed at drawing the attention of governments at all levels to the urgent need to strengthen security around educational institutions.
He said the union could no longer remain silent while teachers and pupils continued to face threats from kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements.
“Our schools are gradually becoming high-risk environments for both teachers and learners. This situation is unacceptable and dangerous for the future of education in Nigeria,” Odo said.
“We are here today in solidarity with our colleagues and the innocent schoolchildren abducted in Oyo State. We demand their immediate and unconditional release.”
The NUT chairman stressed that the increasing insecurity in schools was discouraging many teachers from carrying out their duties effectively, especially in rural and vulnerable communities where security presence is limited.
He warned that continued attacks on schools could worsen the already existing challenges in the education sector, including declining school enrolment, rising dropout rates and shortage of teachers.
According to him, many parents are becoming reluctant to send their children to school due to fears of kidnapping and violence, while some teachers are requesting transfers from remote areas because of security concerns.
Odo called on the Federal Government and state governments to prioritise the protection of schools by deploying adequate security personnel, improving surveillance systems and strengthening intelligence gathering around learning institutions.
He also urged authorities to fully implement policies aimed at safeguarding schools and ensuring that children can learn in a secure environment without fear.
The protesters maintained that the safety of teachers and students should be treated as a national emergency, considering the critical role education plays in national development.
Some of the teachers who participated in the protest expressed sadness over the recurring reports of attacks on schools in different parts of the country.
They noted that teachers now live in constant anxiety whenever they go to work, particularly in areas affected by insecurity.
One of the protesters said the emotional trauma experienced by victims of abduction and violent attacks often leaves long-lasting effects on both students and educators.
Another teacher described the situation as heartbreaking, adding that education cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
The protesters appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts toward rescuing the abducted victims and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
They also called for closer collaboration between communities, school authorities and security agencies to improve safety in schools.
The union further urged governments to invest more in educational infrastructure and security measures, including perimeter fencing, surveillance equipment and emergency response systems for schools.
Receiving the protesters at the Government House, government officials commended the teachers for conducting a peaceful demonstration and assured them that their concerns would be communicated to the appropriate authorities.
The officials reiterated the importance of protecting educational institutions and pledged the government’s commitment to supporting efforts aimed at improving security in schools.
Tuesday’s protest added to growing nationwide calls for urgent action to address insecurity affecting schools and communities across the country.
For many of the teachers gathered in Enugu, the demonstration was not just about solidarity with their abducted colleagues and pupils in Oyo State, but also a broader demand for a safer environment where education can flourish without fear.
They insisted that until schools are adequately protected, the nation’s educational system would continue to face serious threats capable of undermining the future of millions of Nigerian children.
