NUT urges coordinated action to end school attacks, rescue of 78 Borno schoolchildren

..lauds safe rescue of Oriire schoolchildren, teachers

The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called for coordinated and sustained action by governments, security agencies, and relevant stakeholders to end the rising attacks on schools across the country and secure the release of over 78 schoolchildren currently held by terrorists in Borno State.

National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, made the call on Monday while addressing newsmen on the successful rescue of teachers and learners abducted from schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after 56 days in captivity.

Amba was flanked at the briefing by the Secretary-General of NUT, Dr Clinton Ikpitibo, with workers at the headquarters of the Union in Lugbe carrying placards with inscriptions such as: Education cannot thrive under terror; Secure our schools, secure our future; protect those who shape tomorrow; teachers deserve security, not fear and every teacher’s life matters, among others.

NUT President described the rescue of the teachers and schoolchildren as a welcome development and a demonstration of the importance of coordinated efforts in tackling insecurity.

Amba commended the Federal Government, Oyo State Government, security agencies, community leaders and other stakeholders whose efforts contributed to the safe return of the abducted teachers and pupils.

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He particularly praised security operatives for their courage, professionalism and commitment during the rescue operation.

However, the union expressed sadness over the killing of two teachers during the attack, extending condolences to their families, colleagues and the entire education community in Oyo State.

The teachers’ union said the incident remained a painful reminder of the dangers faced by educators and learners across the country, warning that continued attacks on schools pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s education system.

The NUT President recalled previous attacks on schools, including the abduction of over 270 Chibok schoolgirls in Borno State in 2014 and the kidnapping of 110 Dapchi schoolgirls in Yobe State in 2018, noting that similar incidents have occurred in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto and other states.

The union expressed particular concern over recent attacks in Borno State, including the abduction of 42 schoolchildren from Mussa in Askira/Uba Local Government Area, as well as the abduction of a teacher and 36 students and the killing of two teachers in Lassa.

According to the NUT, the attacks have devastated families, disrupted learning and worsened the education crisis in the country.

“The kidnapping and killing of teachers and learners constitute gross violations of fundamental human rights and represent a direct assault on every Nigerian child’s constitutional right to quality education,” the union stated.

The NUT urged the federal and state governments to intensify efforts to rescue all teachers, learners, and other Nigerians still in captivity, while calling for the full implementation and strengthening of the Safe Schools Initiative nationwide.

Amba also demanded the deployment of adequate security personnel and modern surveillance systems to vulnerable schools, improved intelligence gathering, stronger community-based security mechanisms, and effective emergency response systems.

He further called for increased funding for school security infrastructure, prosecution of perpetrators of attacks on schools, and provision of psychosocial support and rehabilitation services for victims of abduction and violence.

He reiterated that schools must remain safe environments for learning, warning that insecurity threatens enrollment, teacher morale, and the future of Nigerian children.

“Protecting schools is protecting the future of Nigeria. The time for decisive and sustained action is now,” the union added.