Academic activities were brought to a standstill across public schools in Oyo State, yesterday, as teachers complied with a directive from the National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, to embark on a peaceful protest over the abduction of teachers and students in Oriire Local Government Area.
This came on a day residents of Borno State also expressed concern over silence of the Federal Government on the abduction of 42 primary and junior secondary school students at Mussa community in Askira Uba Local Government Area of the state.
The protest in Oyo was organised to demand immediate release of 47 teachers and students recently kidnapped from both public and private schools at Ahoro Esiele Community, Oriire council area.
In compliance with the directive issued by the NUT national leadership in Abuja, public schools across the 11 local government areas of Ibadanland remained closed, with school gates locked and classrooms deserted.
Many students, who arrived at schools in areas, including Molete, Orita Challenge, New Garage and Odo Ona, were turned back and asked to return home, as teaching and learning activities were suspended.
However, it was gathered that only Senior Secondary School 3 (SS3) students sitting for their terminal examinations were granted access to school premises.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a teacher described the protest as an expression of solidarity with the abducted teachers and students, who have remained in captivity for more than two weeks.
The teacher said: “We cannot begin to imagine the pain, fear and trauma the kidnapped students and their teachers have endured over the past 18 days.
“Our appeal is to both the federal and Oyo State governments to intensify efforts and take urgent action to secure their safe and unconditional release.”
The protest also drew support from civil society organisations and concerned residents, who called for stronger security measures to protect schools and prevent further attacks on educational institutions.
Ogun residents protest, demand urgent govt’s action
As a show of solidarity, residents of Ogun State, also yesterday staged a peaceful protest against worsening insecurity across the country and the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
The protesters, comprising youths, business owners, nursing mothers and civil society advocates, gathered at the Panseke Skating ground in Abeokuta, carrying placards with inscriptions, such as ‘’The crime they committed is they went to school;’’ ‘’Release our children and teachers’’; ‘’Stop brutality, kidnapping and banditry’’; ‘’Stop insecurity, Nigeria is falling apart’’; ‘Bring back our schoolchildren’’; and ‘’end terrorism in Nigeria.’’
Addressing the protesters, Pastor Juwon Owolabi said Nigerians are living in fear amid escalating cases of kidnapping, terrorism and violent crimes.
According to him, the country has reached a critical point where no citizen, regardless of social or economic status, could confidently feels safe.
Owolabi said: “This is a painful period for parents, families and communities. Many people now sleep with anxiety and fear because they do not know who may be the next victim. We believe the government has the capacity to end this insecurity and the time to act is now.
“We stand with the parents and loved ones of those currently in captivity. Nigeria is at a tipping point. If urgent action is not taken, each of us could become a victim, whether rich or poor, a public servant or an entrepreneur. Nobody is truly safe.
“This is the time for citizens to speak out peacefully and in unity. Government must see that Nigerians are united in demanding security and protection of lives.”
The cleric urged the federal government and security agencies to deploy all necessary resources to secure the immediate release of the abducted children and teachers and restore confidence in public safety.’’
Also speaking, an entrepreneur, Mrs Ada Comfort, said the deteriorating security situation has disrupted both family life and economic activities.
Although none of her children was among the abductees, she said she had been deeply affected by the incident.
Comfort said: “My children are not among those kidnapped, yet I cannot sleep peacefully. I constantly think about those children and what their parents must be going through. The least government can do is guarantee the safety of lives and property.”
Also, a nursing mother, Mrs Precious Jonathan, who attended the protest with her child, said she joined the demonstration to demand a safer future for Nigerian children.
“My baby is just over one year old. I am here because of my child and the children yet to be born. We deserve a better Nigeria. The government should remember ordinary citizens and provide a safer country for us all,” she said.
Fighting back tears, Jonathan recalled how thoughts of the abducted children often crossed her mind.
“A few days ago, during a heavy rainfall, I rushed to close the windows and cover my baby. Suddenly, I remembered those children in captivity and wondered what they might be going through. It broke my heart,” she said.
On his part, a businessman, Mr Ayodeji Ojo, urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the victims and tackle the broader insecurity challenge.
Ojo said: “These children are innocent. We need more than promises and negotiations; we need action. If we continue to respond slowly, criminals will remain emboldened.
“Nobody knows who could be next. If we remain silent, any family could become a victim tomorrow.”
The protesters demanded the immediate release of the abducted pupils and teachers and urged government authorities to adopt stronger measures against kidnappers and terrorists.
They also called for enhanced security around schools and vulnerable communities, stressing that educational institutions must not become targets for criminal groups.
Security personnel were visibly deployed around the protest venue.
The protest ended peacefully, with participants reiterating their demand for urgent and decisive action to address the country’s growing insecurity crisis.
NUT goes on nationwide protest today
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, said it will embark on a nationwide solidarity protest today, as part of efforts to draw attention to the kidnapping of some teachers and students in some schools in Oyo State.
The National President of the union, Mr Audu Titus Amba, in a chat with Vanguard, explained that the union is eagerly waiting safe return of the kidnapped persons.
Amba also expressed disgust that the abducted teachers and students were being used as shields by terrorists trying to frustrate rescue efforts.
“I don’t think any Nigerian is happy with the development we are having on hand. Seven of my members are currently in captivity. Enough is enough. There is no doubt that the security situation in the country has become a matter of concern. ‘’If the school environment is not safe, how are we going to teach? How will the children learn? Education is a critical issue and our schools must be safe for teaching and learning.
“So far, it is like no tangible thing has come out of the efforts to rescue these victims of abduction. We issued a directive that teachers in Oyo State should boycott classes and go on a protest as of Monday.
‘’I am telling you that today, all teachers nationwide will also go on a solidarity protest. Government should put more measures in place for schools to be safe.
“We are also appealing to community leaders to rise to the occasion of securing our schools. They should not go to sleep when we talk about securing our school environments.
“Security matters and everybody should work together as a team. They should help government protect our pupils and students.”
The NUT boss, however, expressed fears about the new trend of using abducted pupils and students as cannon fodder. “We are now seriously disturbed about the ugly trend by terrorists using our pupils and students as shields. That is a very dangerous development. Innocent children must not be used as shields,” he stated.
