By Paul Joseph
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was absent on Tuesday when hundreds of teachers marched to the FCT Administration headquarters in Area 11, Abuja, to protest rising insecurity in schools and demand stronger protection for educators and students across Nigeria.
The teachers, under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT chapter, had concluded a solidarity rally from the Federal Ministry of Education to the FCT Administration offices, where many expected government officials to receive their grievances. However, Wike did not address the protesters during the demonstration.
The Tuesday’s rally was organized to draw attention to the growing wave of kidnappings and attacks on schools, particularly the recent abductions of pupils in Oyo and Borno states.
Carrying placards bearing inscriptions such as “End the Reign of Fear in Our Schools,” “Teachers Deserve Security, Not Fear,” and “Kidnapping Has No Place in Education,” the teachers called on authorities at all levels to take urgent action to secure learning environments across the country.
Held under the theme, “United for Education, Together for Our Future,” the protest highlighted concerns that worsening insecurity is threatening educational activities and putting the lives of teachers and students at risk.
The demonstration comes in the wake of reports that no fewer than 82 pupils were abducted in separate attacks in Oyo and Borno states between May 13 and May 15.
In Borno State, armed groups reportedly kidnapped 42 pupils during attacks on schools in Askira Uba and Chibok local government areas. Two days later, another 40 pupils were abducted during coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The Oyo attacks also claimed several lives, including that of a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, a commercial motorcyclist and security personnel who participated in rescue efforts.
Addressing the protesters, the FCT NUT Chairman, Abdullahi Shafa, said the rally was in compliance with a directive from the union’s national headquarters.
According to him, NUT branches across the federation were instructed to stage solidarity protests in support of affected teachers and students and to demand decisive government action against the growing threat to schools.
Shafa warned that effective teaching and learning cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear, urging authorities to strengthen security around schools and intensify efforts to secure the release of abducted victims.
The protest adds to mounting pressure on government officials to address persistent security challenges facing educational institutions, as stakeholders continue to express concern over the recurring targeting of schools by criminal groups.
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