The National Association of Nigerian Students has reaffirmed its commitment to the rescue of abducted students and teachers across the country, declaring strong support for advocacy efforts led by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Nigeria Union of Teachers aimed at securing the safe return of victims.
The President of NANS, Akinteye Babatunde, made the declaration in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja amid growing concerns over the safety of students, teachers and education workers following renewed attacks and abductions in parts of the country.
Akinteye stated that the student body remained deeply worried by the recurring incidents of kidnapping targeting schools and academic communities, stressing that the association would continue to engage government authorities and mobilise support for all efforts geared toward rescuing abducted persons.
According to him, the safety of students and teachers must remain a national priority, noting that insecurity within the education sector threatens not only academic activities but also the future of the country.
He said NANS fully identified with the concerns raised by organised labour, particularly the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, over the increasing wave of attacks on schools and education personnel.
The student leader explained that the association recognised the fears and trauma currently being experienced by students, parents and teachers in many parts of the country where cases of abduction and violent attacks have continued to disrupt learning.
He noted that many students now attend classes under fear and uncertainty, while some parents have become reluctant to send their children to school due to insecurity.
Akinteye warned that the continued targeting of schools by kidnappers and criminal groups could worsen the already existing educational challenges facing the country, especially in vulnerable communities.
According to him, education cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear, violence and instability.
The NANS president called on security agencies to intensify efforts toward the rescue of all abducted students and teachers while also strengthening surveillance and protection around schools nationwide.
He stressed that beyond rescue operations, authorities must adopt preventive strategies capable of stopping future attacks on educational institutions.
Akinteye also urged the Federal Government and state governments to improve security infrastructure in schools, especially those located in rural and high-risk areas.
He maintained that schools should be safe spaces for learning and development, not centres of fear and repeated tragedy.
The statement comes at a time when public anxiety has increased over recent kidnappings involving students, teachers and school administrators in different parts of the country.
Labour unions and civil society organisations have repeatedly expressed concern over the growing insecurity affecting the education sector, warning that continued attacks on schools could negatively impact school enrolment and educational development.
The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Nigeria Union of Teachers have both called for urgent government action to protect schools and ensure the immediate rescue of abducted victims.
NANS said it would continue to collaborate with stakeholders, advocacy groups and relevant authorities to sustain pressure for decisive action.
Akinteye further appealed to Nigerians to support ongoing rescue efforts and avoid actions capable of undermining security operations.
He said national unity and collective responsibility were necessary in addressing the security challenges facing the country.
The student leader also encouraged students across the country to remain calm and law-abiding while security agencies work toward securing the release of victims still in captivity.
He assured affected families that NANS would not relent in demanding accountability and stronger protection measures for schools and campuses nationwide.
Observers say the growing involvement of student bodies and labour unions in advocacy campaigns reflects increasing national concern over the state of insecurity in the education sector.
Many education stakeholders have continued to call for comprehensive reforms, including improved intelligence gathering, community policing and better funding for school security initiatives.
For many Nigerians, the repeated attacks on schools represent not only a security crisis but also a direct threat to the nation’s educational future and social stability.
As calls for urgent intervention continue to mount, citizens are hoping for stronger collaboration between government institutions, security agencies and civil society groups to ensure that students and teachers can learn and work in safety without fear of abduction or violence.
