Teachers protest kidnapping, worsening insecurity nationwide
… Step up security strategies, NASS urges Tinubu
…Parents reject govt’s rice, money, demand children’s release
By Teddy Nwanunobi
Public schools in several states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were shut down as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) staged a nationwide solidarity protest over the killing of a teacher and the abduction of pupils and staff in Oyo State.
Daily NewsCraft reports that the development followed the directives of the National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Abuja.
Daily NewsCraft also reports that the teachers and pupils that were abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools – Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School abducted in Oyo State are still in captivity.
Speaking during the protest in Abuja on Tuesday, the FCT Chairman of NUT, Abdullahi Shafa, said the action was in compliance with a directive from the union’s national headquarters, adding that the protest was held simultaneously nationwide to express the union’s anger over the killing of a teacher and abduction of pupils from schools by suspected kidnappers in Oyo State.
Shafa said teachers should not be subjected to such violence while carrying out their duties, describing the incident as disturbing and unacceptable.
“If you are aware, in the last few weeks, teachers and students in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo have been troubled.
“A teacher there was beheaded instantly for no just cause. This is somebody that had gone to impact knowledge on our students.
“It is touching, horrifying, and devastating that a teacher who has put in his best to ensure that the children get qualitative education is being killed like that without any reason; all in the name of kidnapping and banditry. This is not good for the system,” he said.
He warned that the development had generated fear among teachers and could negatively affect teaching and learning if not urgently addressed.
The union leader urged the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to take urgent steps to protect teachers, students and school facilities nationwide.
Shafa also called for improved school infrastructure, including perimeter fencing and other security measures to make schools safer.
Teachers staged a protest at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Secretariat, Abuja, prompting assurances from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of abducted teachers and students.
Addressing the protesters, Wike said the government shared the concerns of affected families and was closely monitoring efforts by security agencies to secure the release of those still in captivity.
“We are all concerned about this security situation. The government is on its toes to ensure that those who are kidnapped are rescued,” he said.
According to reports, the protest in Ibadan, Oyo State on Tuesday began on a solemn note. It followed a peaceful protest by civil society groups in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday, during which participants demanded the immediate rescue of the abducted victims.
On Monday, public primary and secondary schools in Oyo State were shut as teachers complied with the NUT directive, grounding academic activities across all 33 local government areas.
The demonstrators called for urgent rescue operations and better protection for schools.
A similar protest was held in Ogbomoso as residents reportedly staged protests, with some parents openly weeping for abducted children. Protesters described the situation as unbearable, urging both state and federal governments to intensify rescue efforts.
In Ogun State, residents in Abeokuta took to the streets with placards calling for stronger security and the immediate release of abducted pupils and teachers, joining the broader outcry over insecurity affecting schools.
On Tuesday, teachers in Akwa Ibom State, also complied with the NUT directive, withdrawing services and joining peaceful rallies.
The union leaders called for urgent measures to protect schools and prevent further attacks.
Borno teachers protest abduction of students from Mussa school
Meanwhile, in Borno State, members of the NUT also marched to the Government House in Maiduguri and through parts of the city to protest the abduction of students from Mussa Primary and Secondary School in Askira Uba Local Government Area.
Union leaders said the protest was aimed at drawing attention to worsening insecurity in schools and demanded the unconditional release of abducted pupils and teachers.
In Plateau State, teachers called for the immediate rescue of teachers and pupils abducted in Oyo State, describing the incident as a threat to education in Nigeria. Addressing the protesters, Plateau NUT Chairman, Elisha Ayimani, said the growing trend of kidnappings targeting schools and teachers poses a serious danger to teaching and learning.
The NUT, Kano State Chapter, also joined other concerned voices in lamenting the deteriorating security situation in the country following the kidnapping of the pupils and teachers in Oyo State. The union called for urgent measures to address the growing insecurity and protect lives and property.
In Taraba, the NUT and students joined their counterparts across the country in protesting the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State, demanding that the government lives up to its responsibility by securing the release of the abducted students and teachers, and also provide adequate security for schools across the country.
In Edo State, the union members, led by the Edo State NUT Chairman, Lucky Imarouagheru, marched from the Labour House through major streets in Benin City, the Edo State capital, carrying placards expressing their displeasure over the Oyo attack.
The NUT members in Yobe State also joined their counterparts across the country to demand the release of the abducted students in Oyo and Borno states. The Deputy State Chairman NUT Yobe State, Ali Abubakar, who led the peaceful protest to the Government House in Damaturu, said the challenges of attacks on schools is a great setback to education.
In Adamawa State, teachers joined other members across the country in Yola, and were received by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Edgar Amos, at the government house gate where he assured them of the government’s commitment to protecting lives and supporting measures aimed at improving security in schools.
Teachers in Rivers State also joined in the nationwide protest against attacks on schools and the abduction of students and teachers, marching to the Government House in Port Harcourt, where the State Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Bassey Asuquo, stressed that schools should remain the safest places for children in the country.
Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, assured of the state government’s support for efforts to secure the release of the abductees and restated the administration’s commitment to maintaining security in schools across the state.
In Anambra State, the NUT members called on both the federal and state governments to take immediate and decisive action rather than issuing empty promises, insisting that classrooms must not become battlefields or a den of kidnappers. Speaking during the protest, the State Chairman of NUT, Chika Chukwudozie, said the demonstration was in solidarity with all teachers and students held in captivity by their abductors, without any clear sign of rescue and safe release.
Receiving the protesting teachers at the Light House, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Anambra State Governor and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, Okechukwu Egbuna, assured that their message would be delivered to the governor accordingly.
“Your message has been received and I’ll personally deliver it to Mr Governor for his immediate response. God will touch the hearts of the kidnappers so they set their abductees free soon and unconditionally,” he said.
Meanwhile, the traditional ruler of Yawota in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, Baale Emmanuel Alade, has revealed that parents of schoolchildren abducted by gunmen rejected relief materials and cash brought by government officials, insisting instead on the safe return of their children.
Speaking in a video interview posted by News Central, the monarch recounted the attack on the community, saying he witnessed suspicious movements shortly before gunmen struck.
“I was sitting here when I saw them pass by, but I don’t know them at all. Not quite long after, we started hearing gunshots. They said bandits had entered the community and everyone ran away. The person that went to see them was gunned down,” Baale Alade said.
He said the attackers abducted several pupils and teachers during the raid.
“That was how the students were taken away. Little children were taken away while they kept shooting,” he added.
He disclosed that government officials later visited the community with relief materials, including bags of rice and cash donations, accompanied by women said to be from Governor Seyi Makinde’s team.
However, the gesture was rejected by distraught parents.
“When government officials came, they came with rice and money. The parents rejected it. Women who are government officials on Seyi Makinde’s team came to console us. They console the women. They came with rice and money, but they rejected it, saying they want their children released,” the monarch said.
In its reaction, the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to step up its security strategies across the country for the purpose of rescuing all the adopted school girls in both Oyo and Borno states, respectively.
While moving a motion on the matter on Tuesday, Hon. Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala described the attacks in his constituency as a sustained siege on the communities, recalling how armed bandits stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School in Yawota Community Grammar School in Esiele, and L.A. Primary School all in his constituency.
The lawmaker further told his colleagues in the Green Chamber that the incident led to forceful abduction of more than thirty victims in broad daylight.
He spoke passionately against the ugly incident while expressing deep anguish over the killing of a class teacher Oyedokun whom he said was reportedly beheaded while in captivity.
Alao-Akala also disclosed that the families of the victims are currently in deep agony while many of his constituents are still unsure of the fate of their abducted loved ones.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker had used the opportunity to acknowledge sincere efforts by security agencies and the Federal Government which include the approval of 1,000 forest guards as well as the deployment of a presidential delegation.
The House presided over by the Speaker, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, also called on the Federal Government to immediately establish a permanent military presence in Orire for the purpose of securing the Old Oyo National Park and surrounding forests.
The House also called for the decentralisation of Nigeria’s security architecture, including the establishment of state and local policing systems.
They warned that continued delay in reforms could leave more communities vulnerable leading to more insecurity across the country.
The lawmakers further mandated its relevant committees to urgently follow up and monitor implementation and report back within 30 days.
In another development, the House equally urge the Federal Government and all relevant security agencies to take immediate and decisive action to rescue the 42 abducted school children from Mussa Ward, Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State as well as other persons currently being held in captivity and reunite them with their families.
The Green Chamber again encouraged the expansion and strengthening of school protection initiatives which include the establishment of early warning systems, community-based security arrangements and security awareness programmes for the purpose of improving surveillance infrastructure around schools;
This followed resolution adopted in an urgent motion raised during plenary by Hon. Midala Balami, member representing Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency of Borno State.
The Daily NewsCraft reports that seven teachers and 39 pupils/students were kidnapped from their schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026. On the same day, over 40 pupils/students were abducted from Mussa Primary and Secondary Schools in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.