The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Tuesday called on the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action to stop the rising wave of attacks on schools across the country.
The NUT National President, Audu Amba, who made the call at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday, condemned the recent attacks in Kebbi and Niger states, describing them as “barbaric, unacceptable, and a direct assault on the foundation of Nigeria’s education system.”
Emba expressed outrage over the killing of a vice principal and a security guard, and the abduction of at least 24 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
The NUT president also condemned the kidnapping of over 300 pupils and students, along with 12 staff members, from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara LGA of Niger State.
“The NUT stands with the families of the abducted children, our colleague, the vice principal who was gruesomely murdered, and other victims of these dastardly attacks.
“We share in their grief, anguish, and unimaginable pain, and we demand the immediate release of the innocent children. Every moment they remain in captivity is a scar on our collective conscience.
“We also stand in solidarity with the government and people of the affected states during this trying time.
“We call on all relevant authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of this brutal and conscienceless crime are swiftly apprehended and brought to justice,” he said.
Amba lamented that the latest incidents follow a disturbing pattern of mass abductions that have plagued Nigerian schools for over a decade, recalling the abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls in Borno State in 2014.
The NUT president added that 110 Dapchi girls, including Leah Sharibu in 2018; 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry, Kaduna in 2021; and 200 students of Government Secondary School, Jangebe in 2021 were also abducted.
According to Amba, the abduction of students and staff of Zamfara College of Agriculture in 2021, 121 Bethel Baptist High School students in Kaduna in 2021, and 287 students in Kuriga, Kaduna State, in 2024.
While stating that these tragedies represent “a horrifying failure” to implement the Safe Schools Declaration and other security frameworks designed to protect educational institutions. He warned that the increasing attacks had forced the closure of some schools, a development he described as “mortgaging the future of Nigerian children.”
“The classroom is supposed to be a sanctuary for nurturing young minds. Destroying learning environments with violence spells doom not only for our children but for the nation.
“We also urge security agencies to leave no stone unturned in strengthening security not only around all schools but also in all the nooks and crannies of the country.
“This is to ensure that all Nigerians and residents are protected from the inhuman and barbaric activities of terrorists and bandits in the country,” he said.
