Chinedum Treasure
Teachers in Anambra state on Tuesday joined other colleagues across the country on peaceful nationwide rally over continued detention of their colleagues and learners held captive by bandits and terrorists in some parts of the country.
The protest followed directives by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) who also ordered withdrawal of services of all primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State with effect from Monday, June 1, 2026 until further notice.
The protesters who marched from the State NUT building to Government house alias Light House with placards, demanded immediate, unconditional and safe release of teachers and learners in captivity across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
Some of the placards read, “set out pupils, students and teachers free from captivity”, “stop kidnapping of teachers and students now”, “classrooms must not become battle field, “government take action, not empty promises”, “teachers deserve security, not fear”
Delivering address of the National President, Com. Audu Amba, State Chairman of NUT, Comrade Chika Chukwudozie said the protest was in solidarity with all teachers and learners in the den of their abductors without any clear sign of their their rescue and safe release.
She said, “On May 15, 2026, seven teachers and thirty-nine pupils/students were kidnapped from their schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
“On the same day, over forty (40) pupils/students were abducted from Mussa Primary and Secondary Schools in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
“For over two weeks now, the innocent teachers and learners are still in captivity under inhumane conditions, leaving their families to live in fear and anguish.
“It is heartbreaking to note that two of our colleagues have been gruesomely murdered in cold blood by the bandits in Oyo State.
“While the fate of the remaining abductees hangs in the balance, we hear the trembling voices of our teachers crying for help from the Government and well-meaning Nigerians to secure their release from the kidnappers.”
Describing teachers as the only professionals working in all nooks and crannies of the country despite the unsatisfactory working conditions, Chukwudozie said it was unimaginable that those who dedicate their lives to the education and future well-being of Nigerian children could become victims of such horrific, callous, barbaric, and despicable acts.
“Theirs is a noble profession and a selfless service to humanity. They mould characters, nurture dreams, prepare future leaders, and build the nation.
“Today, we demand for the immediate, unconditional and safe release of all teachers and learners in captivity across the length and breadth of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We gather with one accord to state unequivocally that the safety of teachers and learners must never be treated with levity. We stand with one voice to insist that an attack on teachers is an attack on education, and an attack on education is an attack on the future of Nigeria.
“Today, we cry for justice and demand action. We refuse to accept the attacks on our schools, and the kidnapping of educators and school children as normal ways of life.
“This event signifies a wakeup call that every day spent in captivity is another day of pain, trauma, and uncertainty for the abducted teachers, learners, and their families.
“It is also a reminder that any attack on schools is not only a serious setback to quality education delivery, but a drift of our nation into a bleak, hopeless and miserable future for its citizenry,” she noted.
While calling on both Federal and State Governments, relevant authorities and security agencies to act swiftly, decisively, and responsibly to rescue all abducted teachers and pupils/students, and to ensure they are reunited with their families and loved ones, NUT boss assured their colleagues and children in captivity that they were not forgotten.
“The NUT stands with you and we will continue to speak, advocate, and demand your freedom until you return safely. May God protect the victims, comfort the affected families, and grant our nation lasting peace and security,” she added.
Receiving the protesting teachers at the Light House, Deputy Chief of Staff to Mr Governor and Chief of Staff to Deputy Governor, Dr. Okechi Egbuna assured the teachers that their message would be delivered to the governor accordingly.
“Your message has been received and I’ll personally deliver it to Mr Governor for his immediate response.
“God will touch the hearts of the kidnappers so they set their abductees free soon and unconditionally,” he said.
Anambra teachers protest abduction of colleagues, learners, say classrooms must not become battle field
Chinedum Treasure
Teachers in Anambra state on Tuesday joined other colleagues across the country on peaceful nationwide rally over continued detention of their colleagues and learners held captive by bandits and terrorists in some parts of the country.
The protest followed directives by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) who also ordered withdrawal of services of all primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State with effect from Monday, June 1, 2026 until further notice.
The protesters who marched from the State NUT building to Government house alias Light House with placards, demanded immediate, unconditional and safe release of teachers and learners in captivity across the length and breadth of Nigeria.
Some of the placards read, “set out pupils, students and teachers free from captivity”, “stop kidnapping of teachers and students now”, “classrooms must not become battle field, “government take action, not empty promises”, “teachers deserve security, not fear”
Delivering address of the National President, Com. Audu Amba, State Chairman of NUT, Comrade Chika Chukwudozie said the protest was in solidarity with all teachers and learners in the den of their abductors without any clear sign of their their rescue and safe release.
She said, “On May 15, 2026, seven teachers and thirty-nine pupils/students were kidnapped from their schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
“On the same day, over forty (40) pupils/students were abducted from Mussa Primary and Secondary Schools in Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
“For over two weeks now, the innocent teachers and learners are still in captivity under inhumane conditions, leaving their families to live in fear and anguish.
“It is heartbreaking to note that two of our colleagues have been gruesomely murdered in cold blood by the bandits in Oyo State.
“While the fate of the remaining abductees hangs in the balance, we hear the trembling voices of our teachers crying for help from the Government and well-meaning Nigerians to secure their release from the kidnappers.”
Describing teachers as the only professionals working in all nooks and crannies of the country despite the unsatisfactory working conditions, Chukwudozie said it was unimaginable that those who dedicate their lives to the education and future well-being of Nigerian children could become victims of such horrific, callous, barbaric, and despicable acts.
“Theirs is a noble profession and a selfless service to humanity. They mould characters, nurture dreams, prepare future leaders, and build the nation.
“Today, we demand for the immediate, unconditional and safe release of all teachers and learners in captivity across the length and breadth of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We gather with one accord to state unequivocally that the safety of teachers and learners must never be treated with levity. We stand with one voice to insist that an attack on teachers is an attack on education, and an attack on education is an attack on the future of Nigeria.
“Today, we cry for justice and demand action. We refuse to accept the attacks on our schools, and the kidnapping of educators and school children as normal ways of life.
“This event signifies a wakeup call that every day spent in captivity is another day of pain, trauma, and uncertainty for the abducted teachers, learners, and their families.
“It is also a reminder that any attack on schools is not only a serious setback to quality education delivery, but a drift of our nation into a bleak, hopeless and miserable future for its citizenry,” she noted.
While calling on both Federal and State Governments, relevant authorities and security agencies to act swiftly, decisively, and responsibly to rescue all abducted teachers and pupils/students, and to ensure they are reunited with their families and loved ones, NUT boss assured their colleagues and children in captivity that they were not forgotten.
“The NUT stands with you and we will continue to speak, advocate, and demand your freedom until you return safely. May God protect the victims, comfort the affected families, and grant our nation lasting peace and security,” she added.
Receiving the protesting teachers at the Light House, Deputy Chief of Staff to Mr Governor and Chief of Staff to Deputy Governor, Dr. Okechi Egbuna assured the teachers that their message would be delivered to the governor accordingly.
“Your message has been received and I’ll personally deliver it to Mr Governor for his immediate response.
“God will touch the hearts of the kidnappers so they set their abductees free soon and unconditionally,” he said.
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