As teachers and pupils recently abducted in Oyo State remain in captivity, protests continued across the country on Tuesday, with the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) staging rallies in several states.
The demonstrations followed a peaceful protest by civil society groups in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Monday, during which participants demanded the immediate rescue of the abducted victims.
In Ibadan, the nationwide protest by teachers today began on a solemn note.
The protesters converged at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) office in the American Quarter area of the city, where union leaders addressed members on the reasons for the rally.
Following the briefing, the procession moved from the NLC Secretariat through various parts of the city. Participants carried banners and placards bearing different inscriptions reflecting their concerns, while singing solidarity songs and using megaphones to explain their plight to members of the public.
Union leaders and members also took time to explain the purpose of the peaceful rally, stressing that it was not intended to be confrontational. They said the protest was a mass appeal to the collective conscience of the nation, the moral responsibility of government, and the constitutional duty of security agencies to protect lives and property.
In Plateau, teachers called for the immediate rescue of teachers and pupils abducted in Oyo State, describing the incident as a threat to education in Nigeria.
The teachers made the call in Jos as they joined colleagues in protest across the country to demand the safe return of the victims.
Addressing the protesters, Plateau NUT Chairman, Elisha Ayimani, said the growing trend of kidnappings targeting schools and teachers poses a serious danger to teaching and learning.
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He urged the Federal Government to take urgent steps to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils.
Ayimani said the union would down tools until the captives are rescued and reunited with their families.
The protesters, carrying placards with various inscriptions, marched from the Old Airport Roundabout to the New Government House in Little Rayfield, where they planned to submit a letter to Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
The union insists that ensuring the safety of teachers and students is critical to the future of education in the country.
The NUT, Kano State Chapter, also joined other concerned voices in lamenting the deteriorating security situation in the country following the kidnapping of the pupils and teachers in Oyo State.
The union called for urgent measures to address the growing insecurity and protect lives and property.
In Taraba, The Nigeria Union of Teachers and students joined their counterparts across the country in protesting the abduction of students and teachers in Oyo State.
The students and teachers are demanding that the government live up to its responsibility by securing the release of the abducted students and teachers, and also provide adequate security for schools across the country.
Edo State is not left out as union members led by the Edo State NUT Chairman, Lucky Imarouagheru, marched from the Labour House through major streets in Benin City, the Edo State capital, carrying placards expressing their displeasure over the Oyo attack, which occurred on May 15.
The protesters called on the Federal Government to take urgent steps to secure the release of the victims, stressing that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure a safe and secure learning environment across the country.
In Ogun State, the teachers were joined in the protest by members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), its affiliate unions, civil society organisations in Abeokuta.
The protesters called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to ensure the abductees are rescued without delay and reunited with their families.
They also advocated new approaches to the ongoing rescue efforts, stressing the need for more effective strategies to secure the safe return of the victims.
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