Protests Spread to Oyo, Ogun, Abuja and Lagos Over Abducted Teachers, Pupils

Protests erupted across Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Abuja and other parts of Nigeria as members of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), civil society organisations, and youth groups demanded urgent action over the abduction of teachers and pupils in Oyo and Borno states.

The demonstrations were triggered by the May 15 kidnapping of seven teachers and 39 pupils in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, as well as the abduction of more than 40 students in Borno State. According to the NUT, some of the victims have remained in captivity for more than two weeks, while two of the abducted teachers in Oyo were reportedly killed by their captors.

Protesters marched through major streets carrying placards and calling on the Federal Government and security agencies to secure the immediate and unconditional release of all victims. In Lagos, teachers rallied to the State House of Assembly, while similar demonstrations took place in Abuja, Abeokuta, Jos, Asaba, and Calabar.

The NUT warned that it could withdraw teachers’ services nationwide if the worsening insecurity in schools is not urgently addressed. The union described attacks on schools as a direct threat to education and Nigeria’s future, stressing that teachers and students should not have to learn and work under fear.

Civil society groups and education stakeholders also backed the protests, urging authorities to strengthen security around schools and restore public confidence in the education sector. They warned that continued abductions could discourage school attendance and further disrupt learning across the country.