Kwara teachers hold solidarity march, raise alarm over rising insecurity

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

Teachers in Kwara State have expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in the country, warning that rising cases of kidnapping, banditry and violent attacks are creating fear among teachers, students and parents, thereby threatening access to education.

The concerns were raised during a solidarity rally organised by teachers in Ilorin on Tuesday to draw attention to the growing insecurity facing schools and educational institutions across Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Modesty Moni, lamented that teachers were increasingly becoming targets of criminal activities, citing the recent abduction and killing of a teacher in Zamfara State despite the payment of ransom by the victim’s family.

According to him, the incident underscores the dangers confronting educators and raises serious concerns about the future of education, particularly in rural communities where insecurity has become more pronounced.

Moni warned that persistent attacks on schools and the activities of bandits could discourage parents from enrolling their children in school, thereby worsening the country’s already fragile education sector. He added that the actions of criminal groups appear to mirror the objectives of extremists who oppose Western education.

The union leader stressed that addressing insecurity should not be left to government alone, urging citizens to support security agencies by exposing criminal elements within their communities. He also noted that many forests across the country have become hideouts for armed groups, making travel and daily activities increasingly risky for ordinary Nigerians.

He criticised political leaders for what he described as inadequate attention to the plight of citizens, arguing that many politicians are more focused on political calculations than on finding lasting solutions to the security challenges facing the country. He also linked the growing wave of crime to economic hardship and rising poverty.

Moni called on the Federal Government to explore all available options, including international partnerships, to tackle insecurity and restore confidence in the education sector. He urged authorities to ensure schools remain safe learning environments, noting that many victims of kidnapping suffer lasting psychological trauma and require proper rehabilitation before returning to normal academic life.