Lagos Teachers Protest School Abductions, Demand Rescue of Oyo Victims

Teachers in Lagos on Tuesday staged a protest to demand the immediate release of teachers and students abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, warning that rising insecurity is threatening the future of education in Nigeria.

The demonstration, organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), saw members march through parts of Lagos carrying placards and calling on authorities to intensify efforts to rescue the victims, who were kidnapped during attacks on schools in the Ahoro-Esiele area of Oyo State.

Speaking during the protest, Lagos State NUT Chairman Hassan Akintoye said the continued captivity of the teachers and learners had caused deep concern among educators across the country.

“We cannot begin to imagine the pain, fear and trauma that the kidnapped students and their teachers have endured,” Akintoye said.

He described the abduction as an attack not only on the victims but also on the education sector and society at large.

According to him, schools should remain safe spaces for learning and development, not targets for criminal activities.

He urged the Federal Government, Oyo State Government and security agencies to take urgent and decisive steps to secure the victims' release.

“Our appeal is to both the Federal Government and the Oyo State Government to intensify efforts and take urgent action to secure their safe and unconditional release,” Akintoye said.

The protesters later marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly, where they were received by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.

Addressing the teachers, Obasa assured them that the Lagos State Government was doing everything within its power to protect residents and support efforts aimed at securing the release of the abducted teachers and students.

The Speaker said the state government remained committed to the safety of citizens and would continue to collaborate with relevant authorities to address security challenges.

He also pledged the Assembly’s support for measures that would strengthen security around schools and communities.

The protest formed part of a nationwide campaign by the NUT to draw attention to growing insecurity in schools and to press for the safe return of the abducted teachers and learners, whose ordeal has sparked outrage across the country.