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Anambra Teachers Join Nationwide Protest over Oyo School Teachers, Pupils Abduction
By Praise Chinecherem
Teachers in Anambra State on Tuesday joined their counterparts across Nigeria in a nationwide protest demanding the immediate release of teachers and pupils abducted by bandits and terrorists in different parts of the country.
The peaceful demonstration followed a directive by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), which also ordered the withdrawal of services by all primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State with effect from June 1, 2026, until further notice.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the protesters marched from the state NUT Secretariat to the Anambra State Government House, popularly known as the Light House, calling for the unconditional and safe release of all teachers and learners still being held captive.
Some of the placards read: “Set our pupils, students and teachers free from captivity,” “Stop kidnapping of teachers and students now,” “Classrooms must not become battlefields,” “Government, take action, not empty promises,” and “Teachers deserve security, not fear.”
Addressing the gathering, Anambra State NUT Chairman, Comrade Chika Chukwudozie, who delivered a message from the National President of the union, Comrade Audu Amba, said the protest was organised in solidarity with teachers and learners who remain in the custody of their abductors without any clear indication of their rescue.
She recalled that on May 15, 2026, seven teachers and 39 pupils were abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. On the same day, more than 40 pupils were reportedly kidnapped from Mussa Primary and Secondary Schools in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to her, the victims have remained in captivity for more than two weeks under harsh conditions, while their families continue to endure fear, uncertainty and anguish.
“It is heartbreaking to note that two of our colleagues have been gruesomely murdered by the bandits in Oyo State, while the fate of the remaining abductees remains uncertain,” she said.
Chukwudozie described teachers as professionals who serve in every part of the country despite difficult working conditions, stressing that it was unacceptable for educators and schoolchildren to become targets of criminal attacks.
“Teachers dedicate their lives to shaping the future of Nigerian children. They nurture dreams, build character and prepare future leaders. An attack on teachers is an attack on education, and an attack on education is an attack on Nigeria’s future,” she said.
She insisted that the union would not accept the increasing attacks on schools and the abduction of teachers and students as a normal occurrence, warning that such incidents pose a serious threat to the nation’s educational system and development.
The union called on the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies and other relevant authorities to act swiftly and decisively to secure the release of all abducted teachers and pupils and ensure their safe reunification with their families.
Chukwudozie also assured the victims and their families that the union would continue to advocate for their freedom until they are safely returned.
“We stand with our colleagues and the children in captivity. They are not forgotten. We will continue to speak, advocate and demand their freedom until they return safely,” she added.
Receiving the protesters at the Government House, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, Dr Okechi Egbuna, assured the teachers that their message would be conveyed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
“Your message has been received, and I will personally deliver it to the governor for immediate attention,” Egbuna said.
He expressed hope that the abductors would release their captives soon and unconditionally.
FreeTheTeachersNow
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Anambra Teachers Join Nationwide Protest over Oyo School Teachers, Pupils Abduction
By Praise Chinecherem
|#anambradaily|
Teachers in Anambra State on Tuesday joined their counterparts across Nigeria in a nationwide protest demanding the immediate release of teachers and pupils abducted by bandits and terrorists in different parts of the country.
The peaceful demonstration followed a directive by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), which also ordered the withdrawal of services by all primary and secondary school teachers in Oyo State with effect from June 1, 2026, until further notice.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the protesters marched from the state NUT Secretariat to the Anambra State Government House, popularly known as the Light House, calling for the unconditional and safe release of all teachers and learners still being held captive.
Some of the placards read: “Set our pupils, students and teachers free from captivity,” “Stop kidnapping of teachers and students now,” “Classrooms must not become battlefields,” “Government, take action, not empty promises,” and “Teachers deserve security, not fear.”
Addressing the gathering, Anambra State NUT Chairman, Comrade Chika Chukwudozie, who delivered a message from the National President of the union, Comrade Audu Amba, said the protest was organised in solidarity with teachers and learners who remain in the custody of their abductors without any clear indication of their rescue.
She recalled that on May 15, 2026, seven teachers and 39 pupils were abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. On the same day, more than 40 pupils were reportedly kidnapped from Mussa Primary and Secondary Schools in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to her, the victims have remained in captivity for more than two weeks under harsh conditions, while their families continue to endure fear, uncertainty and anguish.
“It is heartbreaking to note that two of our colleagues have been gruesomely murdered by the bandits in Oyo State, while the fate of the remaining abductees remains uncertain,” she said.
Chukwudozie described teachers as professionals who serve in every part of the country despite difficult working conditions, stressing that it was unacceptable for educators and schoolchildren to become targets of criminal attacks.
“Teachers dedicate their lives to shaping the future of Nigerian children. They nurture dreams, build character and prepare future leaders. An attack on teachers is an attack on education, and an attack on education is an attack on Nigeria’s future,” she said.
She insisted that the union would not accept the increasing attacks on schools and the abduction of teachers and students as a normal occurrence, warning that such incidents pose a serious threat to the nation’s educational system and development.
The union called on the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies and other relevant authorities to act swiftly and decisively to secure the release of all abducted teachers and pupils and ensure their safe reunification with their families.
Chukwudozie also assured the victims and their families that the union would continue to advocate for their freedom until they are safely returned.
“We stand with our colleagues and the children in captivity. They are not forgotten. We will continue to speak, advocate and demand their freedom until they return safely,” she added.
Receiving the protesters at the Government House, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, Dr Okechi Egbuna, assured the teachers that their message would be conveyed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
“Your message has been received, and I will personally deliver it to the governor for immediate attention,” Egbuna said.
He expressed hope that the abductors would release their captives soon and unconditionally.
ProtectNigerianChildren
NoChildInCaptivity
SchoolsNotBattlefields
EndInsecurityNow
NigeriaMustAct
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StandForEducation