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.
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.
