The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Tuesday staged a nationwide solidarity protest to condemn the killing of a teacher and demand the release of staff and students abducted in Oyo State.
Speaking during the protest in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chairman of the union, Abdullahi Shafa, said the demonstration was held in compliance with a directive from the NUT national headquarters.
According to him, the protest took place simultaneously across all states of the federation to express the union’s outrage over the gruesome killing of a teacher by suspected kidnappers in Oyo State.
Shafa described the incident as tragic, disturbing, and unacceptable, stressing that teachers should not face violence while carrying out their professional responsibilities.
He explained that teachers and students in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State had been living under fear due to persistent security threats in recent weeks.
“A teacher was brutally beheaded without any justification while carrying out his duty of educating students. It is heartbreaking and devastating that someone committed to shaping the future of our children could be killed in such a cruel manner because of kidnapping and banditry,” he said.
The union leader warned that the incident could further heighten fear among teachers and negatively affect teaching and learning activities if urgent action is not taken.
He therefore urged the Federal Government and security agencies to strengthen efforts to protect teachers, students, and educational institutions across the country.
Shafa also called for improved security infrastructure in schools, including the construction of perimeter fences and the deployment of other protective measures to create safer learning environments.
“Our appeal to government is to provide adequate security for teachers and students and improve infrastructure within the school system to ensure a safe and conducive environment for learning,” he said.
He noted that the protest was a one-day peaceful demonstration, adding that any further action would be determined by the union’s national leadership.
Freedomonline reports that the protest was organised nationwide in solidarity with the family of the slain teacher and to draw attention to the growing security challenges facing the education sector.
