Teachers in Kwara State, under the banner of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), on Tuesday joined a nationwide solidarity rally to protest the abduction of teachers and students in Oyo State, warning that worsening insecurity has made schools across Nigeria unsafe for learning.
The rally, held in Ilorin, the state capital, formed part of a coordinated national action by the union to draw attention to the continued captivity of victims abducted during a violent school attack in Oyo State, an incident that has further intensified fears within the education sector.
The protest followed the May 15, 2026 attack on schools in Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, where armed men reportedly invaded three schools and abducted 46 persons, including 39 students and seven teachers.
Tragically, reports indicate that one of the abducted teachers, identified as Michael Oyedokun, was later killed in captivity, an incident that has sparked nationwide outrage and renewed calls for urgent government intervention.
During the peaceful demonstration, Kwara teachers marched through parts of Ilorin carrying placards with inscriptions condemning attacks on schools and demanding immediate action to rescue abducted victims and secure educational institutions.
Some of the placards read: “From Chibok to Oriire: Our children are still crying,” “No more attacks on schools,” “Protect our teachers, protect our future,” and “A nation that cannot protect schools has no future.”
Speaking during the rally, the Deputy Secretary-General of the NUT in Kwara State, Mike Modesty, lamented the persistent targeting of schools, teachers, and students, describing the situation as a national emergency that threatens the future of education in Nigeria.
He said the continued abductions reflect a disturbing pattern of insecurity across the country, noting that similar attacks have been recorded in states such as Borno and Zamfara, where teachers and students have also fallen victim to violent crimes.
“We have no safe schools anymore. Teachers are afraid, students are afraid, and parents are afraid. How can education survive under this level of fear?” he asked.
Modesty questioned the effectiveness of current security measures, stressing that repeated attacks on educational institutions show that more decisive action is urgently needed from government authorities at all levels.
He argued that insecurity has reached a level where both rural and urban communities are vulnerable, adding that even highways are no longer safe as criminal groups continue to abduct travellers at will.
According to him, the situation is being worsened by what he described as government inaction, calling for stronger collaboration between security agencies, communities, and international partners to address the crisis.
He also suggested that Nigeria may need to seek external assistance from countries with proven experience in counter-terrorism and anti-kidnapping operations if local efforts continue to fall short.
“There are countries that have successfully tackled these challenges. If we are overwhelmed, we should not hesitate to seek help so that our schools and communities can be safe again,” he said.
The union leader further criticised political leaders for what he described as a lack of urgency in addressing insecurity, alleging that many decision-makers appear disconnected from the daily realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
He also linked the rising wave of criminality to worsening economic hardship, stating that poverty and hunger are contributing factors fueling insecurity across the country.
Modesty warned that if the situation continues to deteriorate, the union may be forced to consider shutting down schools nationwide as a form of protest to demand stronger government action.
“That may become the next step if nothing changes. Even schools not yet attacked are already affected because fear has taken over the system,” he said.
He further highlighted the psychological trauma experienced by families of abducted victims, noting that children who eventually regain freedom may require long-term rehabilitation before returning to normal school life.
He also cautioned against uncoordinated security proposals, stressing that any solution must include proper training, intelligence gathering, and adequate equipment for security operatives.
“The challenge is not just recruitment. Without proper capacity, intelligence, and equipment, any intervention will fall short,” he added.
As insecurity continues to affect educational institutions across Nigeria, stakeholders are increasingly calling for urgent and sustained interventions to restore confidence in the safety of schools and ensure that learning environments are protected from violent attacks.
For many teachers and parents, the message from the Ilorin protest was clear: without immediate action, the future of education in Nigeria remains at serious risk.
