The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has warned that it may embark on industrial action if the Federal and state governments fail to urgently halt the rising wave of attacks on schools and abductions of teachers and students across the country.
The union described the repeated assaults on educational institutions as barbaric, inhuman and a grave threat to the survival of Nigeria’s education system.
In a statement jointly signed by its National President, Audu Amba, and Secretary General, Clinton Ikpitibo, the Nigeria Union of Teachers lamented that schools, which should serve as safe environments for learning, have increasingly become targets for armed bandits and terrorists, leaving teachers, pupils and parents in fear and psychological distress.
The warning followed coordinated attacks on three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026, including Local Authority Primary School, Ahoro-Esinele; Community High School, Ahoro-Esinele; and Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota.
During the attacks, a school principal, seven teachers and more than 30 pupils and students were abducted, while one teacher was killed.
The union said the slain teacher was reportedly wearing his NUT uniform at the time of his death, describing him as a committed educationist whose killing symbolised the growing dangers facing educators.
The NUT also expressed concern over reports that one of the abducted teachers was later beheaded by the attackers, calling the incident a shocking escalation in the brutality against school communities.
On the same day, the union noted that over 40 pupils and students were abducted from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary Schools in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, further highlighting what it described as a widening national crisis in school security.
According to the union, the spate of attacks has created fear, panic and emotional trauma among stakeholders in the education sector, warning that continued insecurity could cripple academic activities nationwide.
“Teachers cannot effectively discharge their duties in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity where they are subjected to kidnapping, maiming and killing,” the union said.
It urged security agencies to intensify rescue operations to ensure the immediate and safe release of all abducted victims, while calling on governments at all levels to strengthen security around schools and adopt urgent preventive measures.
The NUT stressed that the protection of schools must be treated as a national emergency, warning that failure to act decisively could force teachers to withdraw their services.
The union also expressed solidarity with affected families and communities, insisting that urgent intervention is needed to prevent further collapse of the country’s education system.
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