The Federal Government and state governors are facing mounting pressure to secure the release of dozens of teachers, pupils and students abducted in separate attacks on schools in Oyo and Borno states.
The kidnappings, which occurred on May 15, involved over 40 teachers and students from schools in Ogbomoso and Oriire communities of Oyo State, as well as 42 schoolchildren taken from Mussa Ward in Askira-Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
The incidents triggered nationwide protests on Tuesday, as members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), civil society organisations and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) staged demonstrations across several states, demanding immediate government action.
In Ogun State, protesters marched through major streets in Abeokuta carrying placards condemning attacks on schools and urging authorities to rescue the victims. NUT leaders warned that insecurity was creating fear among teachers and students nationwide, while labour groups threatened stronger action if the abductees were not rescued quickly.
Similar protests were held in Abuja, Lagos, Oyo and Kwara states. In Lagos, teachers gave the Federal Government a one-week ultimatum to take decisive steps against insecurity, while in Kwara, the NUT warned that schools across the country could be shut down if attacks on educational institutions continued.
Speaking during the protests in Oyo State, NUT Chairman Fatai Hassan said teachers were now living in fear following the attack, which reportedly involved four schools and left one teacher dead. NANS President Babatunde Akinteye described the kidnappers as “monsters” and called for united action against terrorism.
Responding to the protests, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde assured residents that every available security resource was being deployed to secure the victims’ release. He appealed for unity, warning against politicising the tragedy.
President Bola Tinubu also announced measures to strengthen security in the affected communities, including the recruitment of forest guards in collaboration with the Oyo State Government and the deployment of a specialised rescue unit. He added that requests for a military base in the area were receiving urgent consideration.
Meanwhile, families of the abducted children in Oyo reportedly rejected rice and cash donations brought by government officials, insisting that their priority was the safe return of their loved ones. Community leader Emmanuel Alade said parents told officials they did not want relief materials but wanted their children rescued alive.
At the National Assembly, the House of Representatives called on security agencies to urgently secure the release of the abducted victims and renewed demands for reforms to Nigeria’s security architecture, including state policing and improved protection for schools.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio condemned the abductions as “an assault on our collective humanity” and warned politicians against exploiting the tragedy for partisan interests. He also directed the Senate leadership to fast-track plans for a national security summit aimed at strengthening the country’s response to insecurity.
