ASABA/Nigeria: Hundreds of teachers in Delta State on Tuesday joined a nationwide solidarity rally organized by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), demanding the immediate and unconditional release of teachers and learners abducted by bandits in Oyo State and other parts of the country.
The peaceful rally, which took participants to Government House, Asaba, formed part of a coordinated national action by the NUT to draw attention to the worsening insecurity confronting educational institutions and the continued captivity of teachers and students across Nigeria.
Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the teachers expressed concern over the rising wave of kidnappings and attacks on schools, describing the situation as a serious threat to education and national development.
Addressing the protesters, Chairman of the Delta State Wing of the NUT, Comrade Dickson Poubeni, said the union remained deeply concerned about the safety of the abducted teachers and learners and would continue to explore all lawful means to secure their freedom.
According to him, the abduction of teachers and students amounts to a direct attack on Nigeria’s educational system and jeopardizes the future of millions of children.
“Today, we mourn the painful loss of colleagues who have been brutally murdered in cold blood. We also hear the desperate cries of a school principal and a teacher who have passionately appealed to the Federal Government, the Oyo State Government, the NUT, ANCOPSS, and all well-meaning Nigerians to urgently intervene and secure the release of those held captive through constructive engagement with their abductors,” Poubeni said.
He noted that the union’s nationwide action was informed by the prolonged captivity of teachers and learners, stressing that members would continue to raise their voices until the victims regain their freedom and reunite with their families.
“In view of the continued captivity of our colleagues and learners in the hands of their abductors, with no clear indication of their imminent rescue and safe release, we have joined teachers across the nation to sustain this call until the abducted teacher and learner regain freedom and return safely to their families,” he added.
Receiving the protesters on behalf of the Delta State Government, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, assured the teachers that the government shared their concerns and remained in solidarity with the abducted victims and their families.
Dr. Emu described kidnapping and banditry as some of the gravest security challenges facing the country, noting that the protection of lives and property remains the primary responsibility of government.
He commended the NUT for conducting a peaceful rally, saying the demonstration had further amplified the concerns of families, communities and citizens over the fate of those still in captivity.
The SSG urged Nigerians to remain confident in the efforts of the Federal Government and security agencies, emphasizing that rescue operations involving kidnappers often require patience, caution and strategic planning to ensure the safety of victims.
According to him, security agencies are actively working to secure the release of the abducted teachers and learners, while additional measures are being implemented to strengthen security nationwide.
He cited the recent approval for the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards as part of efforts to improve surveillance, intelligence gathering and security operations in vulnerable areas.
“We stand in complete solidarity with our brothers, sisters, teachers and students affected by this unfortunate incident. We remain hopeful that, by the grace of God and through the efforts of the Federal Government and our security agencies, they will soon be reunited safely with their families,” Dr. Emu stated.
The rally ended with renewed calls for urgent action to secure the release of all abducted teachers and students and strengthen security around schools across the country.
