Benue, Adamawa teachers protest rising school abductions, demand swift rescue

Teachers in Benue and Adamawa states on Monday joined a nationwide protest against the growing wave of school abductions, demanding the immediate rescue of students and teachers kidnapped in recent attacks in Oyo and Borno states.

The demonstrations, organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), underscored mounting concerns over the safety of schools and the persistent targeting of educators and learners by criminal groups.

On May 15, 2026, gunmen stormed three schools — Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School — in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area, Oyo State, abducting several pupils and teachers.

The incident sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of schools across the country.

In a separate attack, 42 pupils of primary and junior secondary schools were kidnapped from Mussa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area of Borno State, further highlighting the growing threat posed by insecurity to Nigeria’s education sector.

In Makurdi, Benue State, hundreds of teachers marched through major streets carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs as they called on the federal government and security agencies to secure the release of the abducted victims and strengthen security around schools.

Leading the protest, Benue NUT Chairman, Levi Akuma, described the continued attacks on schools as unacceptable and urged authorities to act decisively.

“What we are demanding is the immediate rescue of schoolchildren and teachers kidnapped in Oyo and Borno states over two weeks ago,” he said.

The protesters were received by the Benue State Government, with Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Deborah Aber, assuring teachers that efforts were ongoing to improve security and create safer learning environments across the state.

In Adamawa, teachers and labour activists staged a similar rally in Yola, marching to the Government House while carrying placards bearing inscriptions such as “education under attack,” “free our teachers and students,” and “schools must be safe.”

Addressing the gathering, Adamawa NUT Chairman, Fasial Muhammad, lamented the recurring kidnappings of students and teachers, accusing authorities of failing to provide adequate protection for schools.

He urged both federal and state governments to treat attacks on educational institutions as a national emergency, warning that continued insecurity could undermine the future of education in the country.

Responding on behalf of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the Chief of Staff, Edgar Amos, assured protesters that their concerns would be conveyed to relevant federal authorities, including the Presidency.

The coordinated demonstrations formed part of a nationwide solidarity campaign by teachers and labour unions, who insist that schools must no longer remain soft targets for kidnappers and armed groups.

The protesters called for stronger security measures, the safe return of all abducted students and teachers, and renewed government commitment to protecting Nigeria’s education sector from escalating insecurity.