Nationwide demonstrations erupted on Tuesday as members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) staged coordinated protests across several states, including Lagos, Oyo, and Ogun, demanding the immediate and safe release of abducted schoolchildren and teachers.
In Lagos, members of the NUT stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly in a large procession, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards denouncing the rising insecurity in schools. The protest later extended toward the Lagos State Government Secretariat in Alausa, drawing attention to the abduction of about 40 pupils and two teachers in Oyo State.
The protesting teachers expressed deep frustration over what they described as an inadequate and slow response from authorities, warning that schools across the country were increasingly becoming unsafe learning environments.
Lagos NUT Chairman, Hassan Akintoye, who addressed the demonstrators, drew parallels between the incident and the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, warning against what he called the normalization of mass kidnappings in Nigeria.
“We cannot continue to teach and learn under fear,” Akintoye declared. “Schools should be places of safety, not targets for criminals.”
He called on both federal and state governments to intensify rescue operations and strengthen protection around schools nationwide.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, received the protesters and expressed sympathy over the incident.
He condemned the repeated attacks on educational institutions and assured that relevant authorities were actively working toward securing the victims’ release.
He also restated his support for the creation of state police, arguing that localized security structures could improve responses to kidnapping incidents.
“We are all concerned about the situation, particularly the incident that occurred in your state. I commend you for refusing to fold your hands and remain silent while these events are taking place,” he said.
The Speaker stressed that insecurity is a national challenge that requires collective action from all levels of government and citizens.
He reiterated the Assembly’s longstanding support for the establishment of state police, describing it as a critical step toward addressing security challenges across the country.
According to him, the Lagos State House of Assembly has consistently advocated for state policing and has enacted laws and resolutions aimed at improving security and public safety.
Obasa also urged state governments, local government authorities, traditional rulers, community leaders, parents, and other stakeholders to work together to protect lives and property.
He noted that while the Federal Government is making efforts to tackle insecurity, state and local governments also have constitutional responsibilities in ensuring the safety of residents.
The Speaker further cautioned against the spread of negative narratives on social media, urging citizens to focus on constructive engagement and support efforts aimed at finding lasting solutions to the country’s security challenges.
The protest in Lagos ended peacefully after union leaders formally submitted their demands to the Assembly.
In Oyo State, the situation escalated into an indefinite strike action by public primary and secondary school teachers. The NUT directed full compliance across the state, leading to the closure of schools as educators protested the continued captivity of colleagues and students abducted in Oriire Local Government Area.
The union described the situation as alarming and unacceptable, stating that the strike was aimed at pressuring authorities to intensify rescue efforts and restore safety in schools.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Ogun State, teachers and civil society groups also took to the streets in peaceful demonstrations, aligning with the nationwide protest movement. They demanded swift rescue operations and stronger security measures to protect schools, particularly in vulnerable communities.
The protests come amid a troubling wave of school kidnappings in parts of the South-West, particularly in Oyo State, where recent attacks in Oriire Local Government Area have sparked widespread fear and public outrage.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers has maintained that the nationwide action will continue until meaningful progress is made in securing the release of all abducted victims and restoring public confidence in the safety of schools across the country.
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