Members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers in Enugu State on Tuesday took their concerns to the Government House, urging authorities to intensify efforts toward securing the release of pupils and teachers kidnapped in Oyo State.
The rally, held in solidarity with the victims, saw teachers carrying placards and demanding greater protection for schools across the country amid growing concerns over attacks on educational institutions.
Speaking during the demonstration, the state chairman of the union, Comrade Theophilus Odo, warned that the safety of teachers and students was increasingly under threat, making the learning environment unsafe.
He explained that the protest formed part of a nationwide directive from the union’s national leadership aimed at drawing government attention to the worsening insecurity affecting schools and the need for urgent intervention.
He said, “Our teachers are discharging their work normally, and these children went to school, and they didn’t come back, and they have not come back up till now. It happens in many other states of the Federation — Borno, Nassarawa and other states — Niger.
“So we are here to appeal to all the governments on behalf of the Nigerian teachers headquarters in Abuja that they should put their foot down and persuade the federal government to immediately and unconditionally release our teachers because this could happen to any other person.
“We want them to keep our schools safe so that teachers will be comfortable going to school, in fact, school should not be a danger zone for the teachers and children, that is why we are here sir at the government house to register our protest.”
The union stressed that schools should remain centres of learning rather than targets for criminal elements, calling on governments at all levels to strengthen security around educational facilities.
Receiving the protesters on behalf of Governor Peter Mbah, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidi Onyia, acknowledged their concerns and assured them that their message would be passed on to the governor and relevant authorities for necessary action.