A wave of protests swept across Nigeria as teachers, labour unions, and civil society activists took to the streets in Abuja, Ogun and Oyo States to demand the immediate rescue of dozens of schoolchildren and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Key Highlights:
- Teachers, labour unions, and activists held protests in Abuja, Ogun State, and Oyo State demanding the rescue of abducted pupils and teachers.
- The demonstrations were led primarily by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
- Protesters argued that schools have become increasingly unsafe and called for stronger security measures.
- According to the report, the victims were kidnapped on May 15, 2026, during attacks on schools in the Ahoro-Dada community.
The coordinated demonstrations, spearheaded by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), highlighted growing public anger over the continued captivity of the victims more than two weeks after they were kidnapped by armed assailants during attacks on schools in the Ahoro-Dada community.
In Ogun State, hundreds of aggrieved teachers forcefully gained entrance into the Government House in Abeokuta, demanding urgent intervention from authorities and security agencies to secure the release of the abducted pupils and their teachers.
The protesters, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Bring Back Our Children,” “Schools Must Be Safe,” and “Enough Of Kidnappings,” marched through major roads in the state capital before converging on the seat of government.
Witnesses said security personnel stationed at the Government House were overwhelmed by the large crowd as the teachers insisted on delivering their demands directly to government officials.
The demonstration temporarily disrupted activities around the Government House, as protesters chanted solidarity songs and condemned what they described as the worsening insecurity facing schools across the country.
Addressing journalists during the protest, some of the teachers accused authorities at different levels of government of failing to provide adequate security for learners and education workers.
“Our children and our colleagues are not safe. We cannot continue to teach under fear while governments at all levels fail to guarantee security,” one of the protesters said.
The teachers called on both the Ogun and Oyo State governments, as well as federal security agencies, to intensify rescue efforts and ensure that the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.
The Ogun protest came as labour unions and education stakeholders in Oyo State also staged demonstrations in Ibadan over the abduction.
Members of the Joint Labour Union marched through parts of the Oyo State capital, Ibadan, carrying placards and demanding the immediate release of the victims.
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The protesters urged security agencies to deploy every available resource toward rescuing the schoolchildren and teachers, warning that prolonged captivity could further endanger their lives.
The victims were reportedly abducted on May 15, 2026, during attacks on Community Grammar School, Yawota Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Ahoro-Dada area of Oriire Local Government.
The incident has triggered widespread concern among residents, parents, and rights groups, with fears mounting over the welfare of the victims.
In Abuja, members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and several affiliated educational associations staged a solidarity rally demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers.
The demonstration drew teachers from primary and secondary schools across the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking during the rally, Chairman of the NUT FCT Wing, Abubakar Mohammad, condemned the abduction and described the continued detention of the victims as unacceptable.
“The Nigerian Union of Teachers expresses deep concern over the horrifying and inhuman conditions being suffered by the abducted teachers and learners.
“We call on government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure their immediate and unconditional release,” he said.
Mohammad revealed that despite previous appeals by the union and other stakeholders, the victims remained in captivity, while reports indicated that one of the abducted teachers had been killed by the kidnappers.
The NUT announced that its national leadership had directed all primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State to withdraw their services indefinitely beginning June 1 until the victims regain their freedom.
The union also instructed its state chapters nationwide to organise solidarity rallies to draw attention to the worsening security crisis affecting schools.
Among its demands, the union called for the immediate release of all abducted teachers and students, improved security infrastructure in schools, deployment of trained security personnel to vulnerable communities, full implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative, and justice for victims of attacks on educational institutions.
“We need outcomes, not promises. Every child deserves a safe learning environment, and every teacher deserves to work in safety and dignity,” Mohammad added.
Also on Tuesday, a Nigerian activist, Henry Shield, staged a one-man protest at the United Nations office in Abuja, seeking international intervention over the continued captivity of the victims.
Shield submitted petitions to the United Nations, the United States Embassy, and the United Kingdom High Commission, urging the international community to support efforts aimed at securing the release of the schoolchildren and teachers.
Holding placards and standing outside the UN office, the activist described the situation as a humanitarian emergency.
“Today, I had a one-man protest at the United Nations Office, Abuja, to appeal for international support in rescuing our children currently in captivity with kidnappers.
“The world should not abandon us at this time. Every parent, every human must speak out. Our children must be brought back home,” he said.
In his petition, Shield alleged that the abducted children were being subjected to harsh and degrading conditions while in captivity and warned that their lives remained at risk.
