Lagos teachers decry insecurity, give FG one-week ultimatum over abductions
Teachers in Lagos State on Tuesday joined their counterparts across the country in a peaceful protest against the rising wave of kidnappings and attacks on schools, demanding the immediate release of abducted teachers, students and other victims.
The demonstration, organised by the Lagos State wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), saw hundreds of teachers march from Ikeja Under Bridge to Alausa, calling on the Federal Government to take decisive action against insecurity. The protest followed the recent abduction of more than 40 pupils and students, alongside three teachers, from schools in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities near Ogbomoso in Oyo State. The teachers described the incident as another reminder of the growing threats facing schools and communities across the country, warning that insecurity was gradually undermining the education sector.
Speaking during the protest, Lagos NUT Chairman, Comrade Akintoye Mujeeb Hassan, said the demonstration was not only about the latest abduction in Oyo State but also about the numerous cases of kidnappings and attacks on schools recorded in different parts of Nigeria over the years. He noted that teachers could no longer remain silent while lives continued to be endangered.
Among the protesters was a chemistry teacher and father of four, Mr. Adewale Ogunyemi, who expressed concern over the psychological impact of insecurity on both teachers and learners. “As a teacher and a parent, I go to work every day with fear at the back of my mind. When children are kidnapped from schools, it sends a message that nowhere is safe. We need the government to act urgently because education cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear,” he said.
A school administrator, Mrs. Kemi Aluko, also lamented the effect of insecurity on school management and enrolment. According to her, parents are becoming increasingly worried about the safety of their children, while administrators face growing pressure to strengthen security despite limited resources. She said protecting schools should be treated as a national priority.
“We spend more time discussing security measures than academic programmes these days,” Aluko said. “Parents want assurances that their children will return home safely every day. The government must invest more in protecting schools because no meaningful learning can take place when students and teachers are constantly worried about their safety,” she added.
The protesters stressed that the continued attacks on educational institutions were deliberate attempts to disrupt learning and discourage school attendance. They maintained that while the union had chosen not to shut down schools immediately, authorities must act swiftly to prevent further incidents and secure the release of those currently in captivity.
The demonstration ended peacefully, with teachers giving the Federal Government a one-week ultimatum to demonstrate concrete progress in addressing insecurity. The union vowed to continue consultations with its national leadership and other stakeholders, insisting that sustained action is needed to safeguard schools, protect lives and preserve the future of education in Nigeria.
