The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Tuesday took to the streets of Abuja in a solidarity rally, calling for improved security for teachers and schoolchildren and demanding the safe return of abducted victims across the country.
The rally began at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Education before moving to Area 11, where the headquarters of the FCT Administration is located.
Participants carried placards bearing messages such as “End the Reign of Fear in Our Schools,” “Teachers Deserve Security, Not Fear,” and “Kidnapping Has No Place in Education.”
The teachers said the demonstration was aimed at drawing attention to the growing security challenges affecting schools and communities, while urging authorities to take stronger measures to protect educators, pupils and other citizens from abduction and related crimes.
Held under the theme “United for Education, Together for Our Future”, the demonstration is aimed at drawing attention to the growing insecurity confronting schools and educational institutions nationwide.
Very Nigerian reports that no fewer than 82 pupils were abducted between May 13 and 15 in separate attacks in Oyo and Borno states.
In Borno State, 42 pupils were abducted after armed groups attacked schools in Askira Uba and Chibok LGAs on May 13 and 14.
In Oyo State, another 40 pupils were abducted on May 15 during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota, Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in Oriire LGA of the state.
The Oyo attack also claimed the lives of a mathematics teacher, Michael Oyedokun, a motorcyclist and some security operatives during rescue efforts.
Addressing participants during the Abuja rally, the Chairman of NUT FCT, Abdullahi Shafa, said the protest was in line with a directive by the union’s national headquarters.
“We are acting on the directives of the national headquarters of this union. They instructed us, in every state of the federation, to embark on a solidarity rally in protest against what has happened to our teachers and students in parts of the country,” the state chairman said
