By Ummi Taibat Yakubu
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Tuesday staged a coordinated nationwide protest to condemn the brutal killing of a teacher in Oyo State and to demand the immediate release of abducted teachers and students in the area.
The protest, which took place simultaneously across states in the federation, was organized in compliance with a directive issued by the union’s national headquarters, reflecting growing concern over the safety of educators and learners in Nigeria.
Speaking during the demonstration in Abuja, the Chairman of the NUT in the Federal Capital Territory, Abdullahi Shafa, described the recent incident in Oyo State as both “disturbing and unacceptable,” stressing that teachers should not face violence while carrying out their professional responsibilities.
According to Shafa, the protest was aimed at expressing the union’s outrage over the killing of a teacher in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, allegedly by suspected kidnappers. He revealed that teachers and students in the area had been living under increasing threat in recent weeks.
“If you are aware, in the last few weeks, teachers and students in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo have been troubled,” he said. “A teacher there was beheaded instantly for no just cause. This is somebody that had gone to impact knowledge on our students.”
He described the killing as “touching, horrifying, and devastating,” noting that the victim had dedicated his efforts to ensuring quality education for students before his life was tragically cut short.
“It is deeply painful that a teacher who has committed himself to educating the next generation could be killed in such a manner, all in the name of kidnapping and banditry. This is not good for the system,” Shafa added.
The NUT leader warned that such incidents were already instilling fear among teachers across the country, a development he said could significantly disrupt the teaching and learning environment if not urgently addressed.
He emphasized that the growing insecurity in parts of the country poses a serious threat to the education sector, as both teachers and students may become reluctant to attend schools due to safety concerns.
Shafa therefore called on the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to take immediate and proactive measures to safeguard lives within the education system. He urged authorities to intensify efforts in tackling kidnapping and banditry, particularly in vulnerable communities.
In addition to improved security presence, the union also advocated for enhanced school infrastructure as a preventive measure. Shafa stressed the need for the construction of perimeter fences, installation of security systems, and other protective measures to make schools less susceptible to attacks.
“Our appeal to government is to provide adequate security for teachers and pupils and improve infrastructure within the school system to guarantee a safe learning environment,” he said.
He further clarified that the protest was designed as a one-day peaceful demonstration to draw attention to the issue, noting that any further action would be determined by the union’s national leadership depending on the government’s response.
Observers say the protest underscores growing frustration among education stakeholders over persistent security challenges affecting schools, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protest was held in solidarity with the family of the slain teacher and as part of broader efforts to draw national attention to the increasing threats facing the education sector.
The incident has once again raised critical questions about the safety of schools and the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to protect both educators and learners across the country.
