Protest Rocks Abuja Over Teachers, Pupils’ Abductions

Teachers under the Federal Capital Territory wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, staged a solidarity rally in Abuja to protest the recent abduction of pupils and teachers in Oyo State and demand stronger security for schools across the country.

Naija News reports that the rally, held under the theme “United for Education, Together for Our Future,” was organised in response to the growing attacks on educational institutions, including recent kidnappings in Oyo and Borno states.

The protesters marched from the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education to Area 11, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Release our teachers and learners unconditionally,” “Teachers Deserve Security, Not Fear,” and “End the Reign of Fear in Our Schools.”

The teachers said the continued targeting of schools, pupils and education workers had become a threat to the future of learning in the country.

The protest followed the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers from three schools in Ahoro-Esiele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Armed men riding motorcycles had invaded Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele.

During the attack, the gunmen killed an assistant headmaster and a motorcyclist before abducting pupils, teachers and school administrators.

The incident sparked national outrage, especially after one of the abducted teachers, a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was later killed by the kidnappers.

The development has intensified calls for better protection of schools, particularly in rural communities and border areas vulnerable to attacks.

Addressing the protesters, the Chairman of NUT FCT, Abdullahi Shafa, said the demonstration followed a directive from the national headquarters of the union for teachers across the country to stand in solidarity with victims of attacks on schools.

Shafa said the abduction and killing of teachers and pupils had become a serious threat to education and must be urgently addressed by the government at all levels.

He lamented the killing of the teacher during the Oyo attack, describing it as tragic, painful and unacceptable.

He said, “A teacher who dedicated his life to educating children was killed in a most unfortunate manner. It is painful, disturbing, and devastating. Such acts are not good for the education system, the teaching profession or our children.”

The NUT chairman said teachers work in different parts of the country, including remote and underserved communities, and should not be left exposed to danger while performing their duties.

According to him, insecurity around schools could discourage teachers from accepting postings to vulnerable communities and could also force parents to withdraw their children from school.

He warned that attacks on learners and teachers would further worsen access to education, especially in rural areas where many children already struggle to attend school.

Shafa said no country could build a strong future if its classrooms were unsafe and its teachers were forced to work under fear.

The union called on the Federal Government and state governments to urgently strengthen security around schools across the country.

Shafa said the government should deploy adequate security personnel to vulnerable schools, construct perimeter fences, improve surveillance and provide basic infrastructure that would make learning environments safer.

He said, “Our message to government is clear: protect our teachers and students. Schools must be safe environments where teaching and learning can take place without fear.”

The protesters also demanded the unconditional release of abducted pupils, teachers and other school workers still in captivity.

They said education remained a right and should not be surrendered to fear, violence or criminal groups.

The Abuja protest formed part of wider solidarity actions by teachers to draw attention to the worsening attacks on schools and education workers.

The NUT said it would continue to speak out until decisive action is taken to secure schools and protect those working and learning in them.

The union maintained that the safety of pupils and teachers must be treated as a national priority, warning that failure to act could further weaken the country’s education system.