The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, on Tuesday staged a solidarity rally in Ibadan over the continued captivity of teachers and pupils recently abducted in Oriire Local Government of Oyo State.
The rally, which was simultaneously organised across different states of the federation in compliance with a directive from the national leadership of the union, was aimed at mounting pressure on relevant authorities to secure the immediate release of the victims.
In Ibadan, the nationwide rally by teachers began on a solemn note. The protesters converged at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Secretariat in the American Quarters area of the city, where the State NLC Chairman, Comrade Olukayode Martins, addressed members on the reasons for the rally and reiterated the need for urgent action to secure the release of those in captivity. He expressed concerns that the attack was on schools or teachers and students alone but also on the genarality of workers, citizens and the entire society as no one is safe anymore in Nigeria.
“The abduction of innocent teachers and pupils is unacceptable. We gathered here today to lend our voices to the demand for their immediate and unconditional release. Every Nigerian deserves to live and work without fear,” Martins said.
Following the briefing, the procession moved from the NLC Secretariat through major parts of the city before making a stop at the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, where they were received by the Executive Governor of the State, H.E Engr. Seyi Makinde.
Participants carried banners and placards bearing various inscriptions reflecting their concerns, while singing solidarity songs and using megaphones to explain their plight to members of the public.
Union leaders and members also took time to explain the purpose of the peaceful rally, stressing that it was not intended to be confrontational.
“This rally is not a confrontation. It is a passionate appeal to government, security agencies and all stakeholders to act swiftly. We are speaking for our colleagues and pupils whose voices cannot be heard at this moment,” one of the organisers stated.
They said the protest was a mass appeal to the collective conscience of the nation, the moral responsibility of government, and the constitutional duty of security agencies to protect lives and property.
Addressing the Executive Governor and other government officials at the Governor’s Office, the Chairman, NUT, Oyo State Wing, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, declared that the union had withdrawn the services of its members across public schools in the state until the abducted teachers and pupils regain their freedom.
“We have directed our members to withdraw their services from schools until our colleagues and the pupils in captivity regain their freedom. We cannot continue business as usual while our members and innocent children remain in the hands of kidnappers,” Fatai said.
He called on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts toward the safe rescue of the victims, while also demanding improved security measures in schools to prevent a recurrence of such ugly incidents.
“Our schools must be safe places for learning. Government must strengthen security around schools and put in place proactive measures that will prevent a recurrence of this unfortunate incident,” he added.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State Council, Comrade Olukayode Martins, described the abduction as an attack on the education sector and the future of the nation.
He said organised labour would continue to stand in solidarity with the teachers until the victims are rescued.
“An injury to one is an injury to all. The labour movement cannot fold its arms while teachers and pupils are held captive. We call on security agencies to intensify efforts and ensure their safe and immediate release,” Martins stated.
Meanwhile, The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, who joined the rally, expressed concern over the growing insecurity affecting schools across the country.
He noted that students nationwide were worried about the safety of learners and teachers, urging government at all levels to prioritise security in educational institutions.
Responding, Governor Seyi Makinde assured the protesters that the government was doing everything possible to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils.
The governor noted that the entire nation was distressed by the unfortunate development and not only the teaching profession.
He expressed optimism that those in captivity would soon regain their freedom and pledged the government’s continued commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.
