Teachers in Adamawa State on Tuesday joined colleagues across Nigeria in a nationwide protest against the growing wave of school abductions, condemning the recent kidnapping of teachers and students in Oyo State who are still being held captive.
The peaceful protest, which also attracted members of organised labour, saw demonstrators march through major streets of Yola to the Government House.
The Chairman of Organised Labour in Adamawa State, Comrade Emmanuel Fashe, and the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Faisal Mohammed led the protest.
Addressing government officials at the Government House, Comrade Mohammed presented the position of the national leadership of the NUT to Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
He stressed the urgent need for stronger protection of schools, teachers and students.
The union demanded the full implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration and enhanced security measures across educational institutions nationwide.
Decrying the persistent attacks on schools and the abduction of pupils and teachers, Comrade Fashe called for a comprehensive overhaul of security architecture around learning environments.
The nationwide protests organised by the NUT in state capitals followed the worsening insecurity in Nigeria’s education sector, especially in parts of the Northeast, including Gombi and Hong local government areas of Adamawa State and Askira-Uba in Borno State.
Disruption of learning
The union said armed groups have continued to target schools and educators, forcing learning disruptions in several communities.
In some heavily affected states, including Oyo, the NUT has declared an indefinite strike and shut down public schools pending the rescue of abducted teachers and students.
The union also urged the government to take immediate and concrete steps to prevent further attacks on schools and guarantee the safety of learners and education workers.
Receiving the protesters on behalf of the state government, the Chief of Staff, Dr. Amos Edgar, commended the demonstrators for conducting themselves peacefully.
He assured them that their demands would be communicated to the federal government for necessary action.
