By John Dike, Osogbo
Members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Osun State Wing, on Tuesday staged a peaceful solidarity protest in Osogbo, calling for the immediate rescue and safe return of teachers and pupils abducted by gunmen in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The protesters, comprising teachers from various parts of Osun State, marched through major streets of the state capital carrying placards with inscriptions demanding urgent government intervention to secure the release of the victims and improve security around schools across the country.
The demonstration comes amid growing concern over the safety of teachers and students following the recent attack on communities in Oriire Local Government Area, where armed men reportedly abducted a number of teachers and schoolchildren, throwing families and educational stakeholders into anxiety.
Speaking during the protest, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Osun State, Comrade Babalola Babatunde, said the union decided to organise the solidarity rally to identify with their colleagues and students currently being held captive.
According to him, the plight of the abducted victims has become a source of worry to teachers across the South-West and Nigeria as a whole, stressing that attacks on schools and educational institutions threaten the future of the nation’s children.
“We are out today in solidarity with our colleagues and students who were abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. This protest is to demonstrate our concern and to let the victims and their families know that they are not alone in this difficult period,” Babatunde stated.
The union leader expressed deep sympathy to families who lost loved ones during the unfortunate incident, describing the development as painful and unacceptable.
“We sympathise with the families of those who were killed among the abducted victims. It is a tragic situation that should never have happened. Our thoughts and prayers are with the affected families,” he said.
Babatunde called on both the Federal Government and the governments of affected states to intensify efforts towards securing the immediate release of those still in captivity.
According to him, every necessary security measure must be deployed to ensure that the victims regain their freedom and reunite with their families without further delay.
“We are calling on the governments to ensure the safe return of those who are still in captivity. The lives of these innocent teachers and students must be treated as a national priority,” he added.
The NUT chairman further appealed to the Federal Government to take decisive steps to address the growing insecurity affecting schools and communities across the country.
He warned that unless urgent action is taken to strengthen security around educational institutions, teaching and learning activities would continue to suffer disruptions.
“We are also appealing to the Federal Government to look into the security issues and find a lasting solution to the problem. Without adequate security in our schools, the learning environment would not be conducive. Teachers and students must feel safe in their schools,” Babatunde said.
He stressed that insecurity remains one of the greatest threats facing the education sector, noting that many parents are increasingly worried about sending their children to school because of fears of abduction and violent attacks.
According to him, the situation has the potential to undermine educational development and reverse gains already recorded in school enrolment and retention.
Some of the protesting teachers who spoke with journalists expressed concern over the recurring incidents of school-related kidnappings in different parts of the country, calling for enhanced security measures, intelligence gathering and increased surveillance around schools.
They urged security agencies to strengthen collaboration with local communities and educational authorities in order to prevent future attacks.
The protesters also appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to support efforts aimed at protecting schools and ensuring that children can pursue their education in a safe and secure environment.
Observers noted that the protest reflects the growing anxiety among education workers over the safety of teachers and students amid rising insecurity in parts of the country.
As the demonstration ended peacefully, the union reiterated its commitment to advocating for the welfare, safety and security of teachers and learners, while urging government authorities not to relent until all abducted victims are rescued and reunited with their families.
The NUT maintained that education can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and security, insisting that protecting schools and those who learn and work in them should remain a top priority for all levels of government.
