Hundreds of teachers on Tuesday marched through parts of Lagos State to demand the immediate rescue of pupils, students and teachers abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as concerns continue to grow over the safety of schools across Nigeria.
The protest, organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), was part of a nationwide action directed by the union’s national leadership following the recent abduction of learners and education workers in Oyo State.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions calling for safer schools and the unconditional release of the victims, the teachers marched from Ikeja to the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Addressing journalists during the rally, the Chairman of the Lagos State Wing of the NUT, Mr. Akintoye Hassan, said the demonstration was not solely about the latest incident in Oyo State but a response to the recurring attacks on schools, teachers and students across the country.
He noted that past incidents, including the Chibok and Dapchi school abductions, had exposed the vulnerability of educational institutions to security threats, stressing that urgent action was needed to prevent further attacks.
According to him, the continued targeting of schools poses a serious threat to education and undermines efforts to provide children with a safe learning environment.
Hassan questioned the level of security available in public schools, arguing that government facilities and public offices often receive better protection than institutions where children learn.
“When we approached the Lagos State House of Assembly today, security officials immediately screened and monitored our movement to ensure the safety of the premises. We are asking if the same level of attention is given to our schools,” he said.
Receiving the protesters on behalf of the House, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, described insecurity as a national challenge requiring collective solutions.
Obasa reiterated his support for state policing as a long-term strategy for improving security across the country and safeguarding communities, including schools.
He assured the teachers that government authorities were making efforts to secure the release of the abducted victims and appealed to parents, teachers and members of the public to remain calm.
The protest comes amid renewed calls from education stakeholders for stronger implementation of school safety policies, improved surveillance around learning institutions and enhanced collaboration between security agencies and school authorities.
Teachers at the rally insisted that protecting schools must remain a national priority, warning that continued attacks on educational institutions could discourage enrolment and disrupt learning across affected communities.
